Performance after Partial Arytenoidectomy without Mucosal Closure in 27 Thoroughbred Racehorses

Objective— To examine the effect of partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure on postoperative racing performance and long‐term complications in Thoroughbred racehorses treated for laryngeal hemiplegia, arytenoid chondropathy, or failed laryngoplasty. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Twenty‐seven Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods— Medical records of Thoroughbred racehorses that had partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. Horses were divided into groups: horses that had not raced (Group 1) and those that had raced (Group 2) before surgery. Lifetime race records were compared between groups. A standard starts index (SSI) and performance index (PI) were used for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, to objectively evaluate each horse's postoperative performance. Telephone interviews of owners and trainers were used for subjective performance evaluation and to determine prevalence of long‐term complications. Results— Eleven (61%) Group 1 and 7 (78%) Group 2 horses raced and earned money after surgery. All Group 1 horses that raced performed at a level lower than the national average. Only 1 Group 2 horse had an improved PI score postoperatively. Conclusions— Thoroughbred racehorses have a fair prognosis for racing successfully after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure. Clinical Relevance— This technique may be a practical alternative to primary mucosal closure, would decrease surgical time, and avoid some problems reported with primary mucosal closure.