Successful treatment of laryngeal dysplasia with ventriculocordectomy and prosthetic laryngoplasty in a horse

Abstract

SummaryProsthetic laryngoplasty is a recognised treatment option for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) in horses; however, there is no report of the use of laryngoplasty alone or in combination, as a successful treatment of equine laryngeal dysplasia. A 6‐year‐old Warmblood gelding was referred to the hospital for investigation of respiratory noise and exercise intolerance. Grade 4 recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and bilateral vocal fold collapse were diagnosed with overground endoscopy. Ultrasonography revealed laryngeal dysplasia. The horse underwent standing laser bilateral ventriculectomy, left vocal cordectomy, right vocal cordotomy and left‐sided laryngoplasty. Abnormal structural anatomy of the left aspect of the larynx consistent with laryngeal dysplasia was identified during surgery. Post‐operatively, the horse showed substantial clinical improvement with decreased respiratory noise and improved exercise capacity. Follow‐up overground endoscopy at 6 months post‐operative revealed Dixon grade 4 abduction of the left arytenoid cartilage. Follow‐up information via telephone conversation with the owner confirmed that the horse continued in active exercise with clinical improvement. This case report highlights the value of combined clinical, endoscopic and ultrasonographic examinations of the larynx in a horse with laryngeal dysplasia and concurrent grade 4 RLN and the successful surgical treatment achieved with combined bilateral ventriculectomy, left vocal cordectomy, right vocal cordotomy and prosthetic laryngoplasty.