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Standing Surgical Removal of Inspissated Guttural Pouch Exudate (Chondroids) in Ten Horses
Author(s) -
PERKINS JUSTIN D.,
SCHUMACHER JIM,
KELLY GER,
GOMEZ JORGE H.,
SCHUMACHER JOHN
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2006.00204.x
Subject(s) - medicine , horse , surgery , empyema , dysphagia , anesthesia , paleontology , biology
Objective— To report use of a modified Whitehouse approach in standing horses for management of inspissated guttural pouch empyema. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Adult horses (n=10) with guttural pouch empyema. Methods— Inspissated exudate in 1 or both guttural pouches was removed surgically through a modified Whitehouse approach, with the horses standing and sedated. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, endoscopic, and radiological examination findings; surgical technique; complications, and outcome. Results— All horses had purulent nasal discharge; 3 horses had dysphagia, 2 had recurrent laryngeal neuropathy on the side affected by guttural pouch empyema, and 1 had persistent soft palate displacement. Inspissated exudate was removed safely without causing apparent discomfort. Eight horses returned to their previous level of athletic activity after surgery; 1 horse dysphagic before surgery, was euthanatized because of persistent dysphagia after surgery, and 1 horse died 1 week after surgery for unknown reasons. Streptococcus equi subsp equi was isolated from the affected guttural pouch of 3 horses. Conclusions— Inspissated exudate can be removed surgically from the guttural pouch in standing horses through a modified Whitehouse approach. Clinical Relevance— To eliminate risks associated with general anesthesia and avoid surgical suite contamination, removal of chondroids can be performed in standing sedated horses through a modified Whitehouse approach.