Laryngeal reinnervation in the horse

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2003 Apr;19(1):189-208, viii. doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(02)00073-1.

Abstract

Left laryngeal hemiplegia is a frustrating condition for the equine athlete and equine veterinarian. Treatment for the past 30 years has centered on the prosthetic laryngoplasty ("tie-back") with or without ventriculectomy. Laryngeal reinnervation has been used successfully in people and has been shown experimentally to benefit affected horses. This article reviews equine laryngeal reinnervation using the nerve muscle pedicle graft and describes the surgical technique, its complications, and the follow-up in 146 cases treated over the past 10 years. Also discussed is ongoing research into stimulation studies to improve the success of equine laryngeal reinnervation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Horse Diseases / surgery*
  • Horses
  • Laryngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Laryngeal Muscles / innervation*
  • Laryngeal Muscles / surgery
  • Laryngeal Nerves / surgery*
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome