Transendoscopic Use Of A Diode Laser For The Treatment Of Several Upper Airway Obstructions In 16 Standardbred Trotters

In sport horses, transendoscopic laser treatment of upper airway obstructions (UAO) presents several advantages over traditional surgical treatment (Tulleners 1998; Parente 2007). Among different lasers available, the diode laser is particularly desirable, since it is portable and less expensive. Aim of the present study is to report the results of a transendoscopic diode laser technique in 16 standardbred racehorses with different upper airway disorders. According to the diagnostic protocol adopted, the diagnosis of epiglottic entrapment (EE) was achieved in 12 patients, dynamic dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in 3 patients, axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (ADAF) in 2 patients and DDSP and ADAF were present in association in 1 patient. All patients returned to training after two weeks and 15 horses returned to racing after 45 days. In 3 horses the racing time returned to their best racing time recorded (BRTR) level before treatment. Of these, 2 horses after 2 months and 1 horse after 10 months. Five horses improved their BRTR, four after 2 months and the other after 4 months. Four horses showed a mild worsening of their BRTR. In four horses a comparison between BRTR before and after treatment was not possible as for three of them a BRTR before treatment was not available and 1 horse died because of colic syndrome. The diode laser procedure was simple to perform and well tolerated by all patients, no serious complications were observed during the recovery period and the latter was particularly short. Furthermore, the racing activity after treatment was satisfactory since 15 out of 16 horses returned to racing and 8 of these returned to either previous (3/8) or improved (5/8) BRTR level.