Veterinary Resident University of Florida, Florida
Proof-of-Concept Study for a Novel Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy in Horses. Roe HA1, McCarrel TM1, Biedrzycki AH1, Porter EG1, Davenport PW2, Freeman DE1. 1University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL; 2University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is a common performance limiting disease in horses. Little improvement in postoperative outcomes and complication rates have been achieved despite extensive research. The purpose of this study was to develop three-dimensional models of larynges to investigate the anatomic feasibility of a novel surgical treatment for RLN. Equine larynges (n = 9) underwent sequential computed tomography (CT) scans with two arytenoid treatments, abducted (ABD) and abducted following left cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) arthrotomy (ARTH) and 3D models were generated. Rima glottidis cross sectional area (CSA) and left-to-right quotient angle (LRQ) were measured on laryngeal specimens and models in triplicate with the average used for analysis. Arytenoid translation, articular contact area, and length of modeled implants placed across the CAJ were measured. Data was analyzed using paired t-test or ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test or non-parametric equivalents; P < 0.05. ARTH CSA was larger for laryngeal specimens than models (P = 0.0096). There was no difference in all other measures of CSA and all LRQ data between treatment groups or between specimens and models. There was no difference between ABD and ARTH groups for arytenoid cartilage translation, contact area, and implant length. Articular contact area was sufficient for implant placement across the CAJ with consistent implant lengths across larynges with or without arthrotomy. This study was limited to cadaver specimens and in vivo investigation is needed. These results provide the foundation for a novel, CT-guided, minimally invasive surgical procedure that may improve technical precision, biomechanical stability, and postoperative success rates for horses with RLN.