Partial arytenoidectomy in 21 standing draught horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

Objective: To report the use of standing partial arytenoidectomy (PA) in draught horses affected by left-sided recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). Study design: Retrospective descriptive study. Animals: Twenty-one draught horses diagnosed with left-sided recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). Methods: Medical records of 21 draught horses subjected to standing PA to treat left-sided RLN were reviewed. Data recorded included history, signalment, presenting complaint, athletic or intended use, pre- and postoperative resting upper respiratory tract endoscopic findings, perioperative medication, surgical details, postoperative exercise recommendations and follow-up. Results: Twenty-one horses (100%) had a history of abnormal respiratory noise and 15 horses (71%) had exercise intolerance. Of the 19 horses with follow-up, surgery resolved or significantly reduced the abnormal respiratory noise in 17 horses (90%) and resolved exercise intolerance in all 13 horses with a history of exercise intolerance and follow-up. None of the horses had signs or evidence of coughing at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: Standing left-sided PA can resolve the clinical signs associated with left-sided RLN in draught horses.