Partial arytenoidectomy in 21 standing draught horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

Summary 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.