Long-term study of partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure in 76 Thoroughbred racehorses (1992-2006).

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The effectiveness and best method to perform a partial arytenoidectomy in racehorses is unclear. This study was performed to evaluate the success of and complications that can occur after a unilateral partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure in Thoroughbred racehorses. HYPOTHESIS: Partial arytenoidectomy is an effective surgical procedure to return Thoroughbred racehorses, afflicted by arytenoid chondropathy or a failed laryngoplasty, to preoperative levels of performance. METHODS: Seventy-six Thoroughbred racehorses admitted to the New Bolton Centre between 1992 and 2006 were assessed. Information was obtained from the medical records about the horse, laryngeal abnormalities, surgery and other findings during hospitalisation. Racing information was evaluated relative to those independent variables by an analysis of variance with a level of significance of P<0.05. RESULTS: Arytenoid chondropathy was the presenting complaint in 54 horses and failed laryngoplasty in 22 horses. Thirteen horses (17%) underwent a second surgery for laser excision of intralaryngeal granulation tissue at the arytenoidectomy site. Seventy-three horses were discharged from the hospital and racing outcome was evaluated. Sixty horses (82%) raced after surgery and 46 horses (63%) raced 5 or more times after surgery. The median time from surgery to the first start was 6 months. The average earnings/start was not significantly different before and after surgery. There was no association between earnings after surgery and age, gender, location of lesion, type of lesion, duration of tracheal intubation or undergoing a second surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: A Thoroughbred racehorse is likely to race after a unilateral partial arytenoidectomy with primary mucosal closure and return to a preoperative level of performance.

The effect of recurrent laryngeal neurectomy in conjunction with laryngoplasty and unilateral ventriculocordectomy in thoroughbred racehorses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (RLN) in combination with laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy on the postoperative performance of Thoroughbred racehorses treated for grade III left laryngeal hemiparesis (LLH). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Fifty-five Thoroughbred racehorses. METHODS: Medical records for Thoroughbred racehorses treated surgically by laryngoplasty and laser ventriculocordectomy with or without RLN between June 1993 and December 1996 were reviewed. Outcome was evaluated subjectively by assessment of performance obtained from telephone interviews with owners and trainers, and objectively by assessment of racing performance for 3 races before and after surgery using a performance index (PI). RESULTS: Fifty-five Thoroughbred racehorses with resting endoscopic grade III LLH were treated by laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy either with (39 horses) or without (16 horses) RLN. For RLN horses, respondents for 38 horses believed performance was improved in 19 horses, unchanged in 16 horses, and decreased in 3 horses. For horses without RLN, respondents for 9 horses reported that performance was improved in 5 horses, unchanged in 2 horses, and decreased in 2 horses. PI scores were improved in 18 RLN horses and in 6 horses without RLN; there was no statistical difference in outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of RLN in combination with laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy for treatment of grade III LLH may not improve postoperative racing performance.

Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematomas in horses: 20 cases (1986-1996).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique of contact neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematoma (PEH) in horses, to determine the recurrence rate of clinical signs of PEH in horses with follow-up time of a minimum of 12 months, and to compare this result with reported results achieved by using conventional techniques. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 21 horses with 26 PEH. PROCEDURE: Medical records of all horses with PEH treated by Nd:YAG laser excision from December 1986 through August 1996 were analyzed. Twenty-one horses underwent unilateral (18 surgeries) or bilateral (14) frontonasal bone flap with excision of the mass, using an Nd:YAG laser. One horse with bilateral PEH underwent a unilateral bone flap twice, 1 year apart. RESULTS: 1 horse died. Four of 20 horses with followup times of 12 months or longer had recurrence of PEH. The PEH recurrence rate was 20% (5/25 PEH). Three of 6 horses with bilateral lesions had recurrence of PEH. Recurrence rate for horses that had bilateral PEH (3/6 horses) was greater than for horses with unilateral PEH (1/14 horses). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment of PEH by Nd:YAG laser excision through a frontonasal bone flap results in a recurrence rate comparable with that reported for conventional techniques. Horses with bilateral lesions are more likely to have a recurrence of PEH.

Videoendoscopic assessment of dynamic laryngeal function during exercise in horses with grade-III left laryngeal hemiparesis at rest: 26 cases (1992-1995).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate laryngeal function by means of videoendoscopy during high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses with grade-III left laryngeal hemiparesis at rest and to determine outcome of treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 26 racehorses. PROCEDURE: Videoendoscopy of the larynx was performed while horses were at rest and exercising on a treadmill. Horses were classified as having grade-IIIA, -IIIB, or -IIIC laryngeal hemiparesis on the basis of the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction maintained during exercise. Postoperative racing performance was determined by evaluating race records and conducting telephone surveys. RESULTS: 20 (77%) horses had grade-IIIC laryngeal hemiparesis (i.e., severe dynamic laryngeal collapse during exercise). Eighteen underwent surgery, and racing performance was improved in 9. Five (19%) horses had grade-IIIB laryngeal hemiparesis (i.e., left arytenoid cartilage and vocal fold were maintained in an incompletely abducted position during exercise). Four underwent surgery, and racing performance was improved in 1. One (4%) horse had grade-IIIA laryngeal hemiparesis (i.e., full abduction of arytenoid cartilage during exercise); surgery was not performed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Videoendoscopy is useful in determining dynamic laryngeal function in racehorses with grade-III laryngeal hemiparesis at rest.

Laryngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in 230 racehorses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of laryngoplasty on racing performance and to determine if any of the following variables had a significant effect on outcome: breed (Thoroughbred v Standardbred), endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, ventriculectomy versus no ventriculectomy, type of prosthetic suture used, and number of prostheses placed. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of laryngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in racehorses between 1986 and 1993. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: 230 horses (174 Thoroughbreds, 56 Standardbreds). METHODS: The medical records of racehorses or horses intended for racing were reviewed. Signalment, admitting complaints, physical examination findings, resting endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, type of prosthetic suture material used, number of prosthetic sutures placed, presence or absence of ventriculectomy, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Upper respiratory tract noise and exercise intolerance were the most common presenting complaints. Two horses had a laryngeal grade of 2, 109 horses a laryngeal grade of 3, and 119 horses a laryngeal grade of 4. Two double-strand braided polyester sutures were used in 147 horses, a single double-strand polyester suture was used in 49 horses, and a single double-strand nylon suture was used in 34 horses. Ventriculectomy was performed on 186 horses. The most common complication recognized during hospitalization was coughing in 50 horses. Telephone follow-up was obtained for 176 horses. For 168 horses, respiratory noise after surgery was decreased in 126 horses, the same in 28, and increased in 14. After hospital discharge, coughing occurred in 43 of 166 horses, and a nasal discharge occurred in 26 horses. Postoperative racing performance for 167 horses was subjectively evaluated by respondents as being improved in 69% of the horses. Overall owner satisfaction with the outcome after surgery was 81%. Of 230 horses, 178 raced at least one time after surgery. Overall, 117 horses raced three or more times before and after surgery, and 65 of these horses had improved performance index scores. None of the variables of surgical interest affected performance index scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Laryngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy allowed 77% of the horses to race at least one time after surgery, improved racing performance in 56% of the horses that completed three races before and after surgery, and improved subjectively evaluated racing performance in 69% of the horses.

Metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in cattle.

Metacarpal and metatarsal fractures are usually amenable to external coaptation using a short or full limb polyurethane resinimpregnated knitted fiberglass fabric cast. The prognosis for long-term pain-free survival is excellent for closed fractures and fair to good for open fractures managed in the manner. Surviving animals generally are not lame and do not demonstrate significant limb deformity or limb shortening and generally become completely productive. Even considering the narrow profit margin involved when treating cattle with serious injuries, this method of fracture management is usually economically and technically feasible.

Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy or staphylectomy for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses: 209 cases (1986-1991).

The efficacy of sternothyrohyoideus myectomy (SM) and staphylectomy as treatments for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was evaluated in 209 racehorses (126 Thoroughbreds, 83 Standardbreds). The 2 most common complaints were respiratory tract noise (75% of horses) and exercise intolerance (51% of horses). Stopping, defined as the inability to finish the race at racing speed, was reported in 40% of the horses. Endoscopy at rest revealed evidence of abnormal epiglottic anatomy (hypoplasia or flaccidity) in 51% of the horses and abnormal soft palate function in 36% of the horses. Race records were available for 149 (77 Thoroughbreds, 72 Standardbreds) horses. The sex distribution consisted of 38% sexually intact males, 20% geldings, and 42% females, with a mean age of 3.4 years. Sixty-nine horses underwent staphylectomy, with a mean of 16 weeks to first stage after surgery. Eighty horses underwent SM, with a mean of 10 weeks to first start. Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy was performed on significantly more (P < 0.05). Thoroughbreds than Standardbreds, and staphylectomy was performed on significantly (P < 0.0001; chi 2 = 39.56) more Standardbreds than Thoroughbreds. After surgery, most horses (74%) had no change in class; however, more moved up in class (17%) than down (9%). On the basis of comparison of earnings for 3 starts before surgery with that for 3 starts after surgery, successful outcome was obtained in 60% of the horses (35 Thoroughbreds, 13 Standardbreds) that received SM and in 59% of the horses (11 Thoroughbreds, 30 Standardbreds) that received a staphylectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alar fold resection in horses: 24 cases (1979-1992).

Between 1979 and 1992, the alar folds were resected bilaterally in 22 horses and unilaterally in 2 horses. Abnormal respiratory tract noise and exercise intolerance were the primary complaints prior to surgery. Significantly (P = 0.01) more Standardbreds underwent resection of the alar folds, compared with the number of Standardbreds in the hospital population during the same period. The alar folds palpated abnormally thick in 13 horses and normal in 11 horses. Temporary dilatation of the nares with mattress sutures or clips lessened the respiratory tract noise and improved exercise tolerance in all 8 horses in which the diagnostic test was performed. Manual elevation of the alar folds reduced respiratory noise in the 11 horses evaluated. Long-term follow-up evaluation by telephone was available for 14 horses. All surgical incisions had healed cosmetically. Respiratory tract noise was decreased, and exercise tolerance improved in 10 of 14 (71%) horses. Complete charted racing information was obtained for 16 horses. Fourteen horses started their first race a mean of 118 days (range, 13 to 321 days) after surgery. The mean number of starts after surgery was 51, with 14 of 16 (88%) horses starting more than 6 times after surgery. Of the 16 horses, 8 horses raced at least 3 times before and after surgery; 4 had improved racing performance, 2 had similar performance, and 2 had decreased performance. Five Standardbreds never raced, and 1 Standardbred raced once before surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concordance of ultrasonographic and physical findings in cattle with an umbilical mass or suspected to have infection of the umbilical cord remnants: 32 cases (1987-1989).

Medical records of 32 cattle treated for umbilical abnormalities that had undergone ultrasonographic examination of the umbilicus followed by umbilical resection or postmortem examination were reviewed. Thirty of the cattle were between 6 and 240 days old (mean, 73 days); the remaining 2 cattle were a 3-year-old bull and a 5-year-old cow. Thirty (94%) animals had external evidence of infection associated with the umbilicus. Two calves did not have external signs of infection; 1 had an abscess of the urachus and the other was found to be normal. Two-dimensional real-time ultrasonography was used to identify abnormal umbilical cord remnants. Ultrasonographic results were most reliable for the urachus, and the urachus was the most commonly affected internal umbilical cord remnant. Statistical agreement between ultrasonographic and physical (surgical or postmortem) findings was good to excellent for all umbilical structures. Intra-abdominal adhesions were found at surgery in 47% of animals with umbilical abnormalities; however, adhesions were not detected ultrasonographically.

Epiglottitis in horses: 20 cases (1988-1993).

Epiglottitis was diagnosed and treated in 20 horses (13 Thoroughbreds and 7 Standardbreds) over a 5-year period. Eighteen horses were used for racing, and 2 Standardbreds were broodmares. Primary clinical signs were exercise intolerance, respiratory noise, and coughing. The most common endoscopic diagnosis made by referring veterinarians was epiglottic entrapment (11 horses). In 19 horses, endoscopic evaluation at admission revealed mucosal ulceration and thickening of the lingual surface of the epiglottis. Other endoscopic findings included dorsal displacement of the soft palate (14 horses), and dorsal deviation of the epiglottic axis (11 horses). Only 1 horse had epiglottic entrapment. Treatment consisting of stall confinement for 7 to 14 days, topical administration of a solution of furacin, dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerin, and prednisolone, and systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids was effective in controlling epiglottic edema and inflammation. Antimicrobials were administered to 6 horses. Racing performance of the 18 racehorses was evaluated by examination of racing records. One horse was still convalescing at the time of the study, and 1 horse had been euthanatized 1 week after treatment for epiglottitis because of colic. The remaining 16 horses all started at least 1 race (mean time between initial examination and start of first race, 74 days; range, 8 to 265 days). Thirteen horses started at least 4 races following treatment for epiglottitis; racing performance after treatment was the same in 8 and decreased in 5. Long-term sequelae of epiglottitis included epiglottic deformity (5 horses), intermittent or persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (4 horses), and epiglottic entrapment (1 horse).

Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment of tympany of the auditory tube diverticulum in two foals.

Tympany of the auditory tube diverticulum was treated in 2 Standardbred foals by fenestrating the median septum, using an endoscopically placed Nd:YAG laser. Recurrence in 1 foal was treated by enlarging the fenestration, using a modified Whitehouse approach, and the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube. Use of the Nd:YAG laser eliminates the risk of inadvertent cranial nerve damage associated with incisions into the auditory tube diverticulum. The procedure can be performed with the horse sedated or anesthetized. Clinical signs can recur in the fenestration heals closed or if the condition is bilateral rather than unilateral.

Partial arytenoidectomy in the horse using an extralaryngeal approach.

An extralaryngeal approach to partial arytenoidectomy in the horse was developed by in vitro experiments on isolated larynges and then on intact equine cadavers. The goals of the approach were to preserve the laryngeal mucosa, eliminate the need for a laryngotomy or tracheotomy, and minimize postoperative complications. The new approach was evaluated in seven horses with normal upper respiratory tracts. Left laryngeal hemiplegia was surgically created, and, after a 30-day convalescence, left partial arytenoidectomy was performed using an extralaryngeal approach. The left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio was calculated before and after left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy and 60 days after partial arytenoidectomy. Left partial arytenoidectomy was successfully completed in all horses without performing a laryngotomy or tracheotomy. Preservation of the laryngeal mucosa (6/7 horses) and apparent stabilization of the adjacent soft tissue (6/7 horses) was achieved. In one horse, a 1-cm laryngeal mucosal tear healed without complication, and in another some collapse of adjacent soft tissue occurred when a retention suture failed. The mean left-to-right hemilaryngeal ratio was significantly increased compared to horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia, but it remained significantly less than the pre-recurrent laryngeal neurectomy ratio (p < .05). Coughing, aspiration, and airway narrowing were not observed. Partial arytenoidectomy could be reliably performed through an extralaryngeal approach in horses with a normal underlying arytenoid cartilage with preservation of the laryngeal mucosa.

Loop colostomy for management of rectal tears and small-colon injuries in horses: 10 cases (1976-1989).

Loop colostomy was performed in 10 horses as treatment for grade-III rectal tears (n = 6 horses), small-colon infarction (n = 2 horses), perirectal abscess and stenosis (n = 1 horse), and small-colon stricture (n = 1 horse). In 7 horses, the colostomy was constructed through a single incision low in the left flank, with closure of the incision around the stoma (single-incision technique). In 3 horses, 2 of which had colostomy performed as a standing procedure, the selected segment of small colon was placed from a flank incision into a separate, small incision low in the left flank (double-incision technique). Five horses underwent colostomy reversal (at 18 to 63 days) and 2 of these horses, both with grade-III rectal tears, recovered completely. Of 8 horses that did not survive, 6 died from the primary disease or associated complications. Technical problems associated with colostomy accounted for death of 2 horses. One horse had gastric rupture attributable to suture occlusion of the small intestine after colostomy reversal, and another horse had complications of incisional infection after repair of a peristomal hernia. Small-colon prolapse through the stoma necessitated premature reversal of the colostomy in a horse that was euthanatized because of worsening laminitis. Minor complications of the colostomy procedure were partial stomal dehiscence (n = 4 horses), partial dehiscence of the flank wound after colostomy reversal (n = 2 horses), and small ventral midline hernia after colostomy reversal (n = 1 horse). Loop colostomy may be of benefit to horses with rectal tears, provided it is done soon after the tear occurs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rostral mandibulectomy in five horses.

Rostral mandibulectomy with primary gingival closure was performed in 5 horses with rapidly growing or bleeding mandibular tumors. The technique involved preservation of the most caudal portion of the mandibular symphysis to maintain stability. There were no surgical complications or recurrences, and the cosmetic and functional results were good. The histopathologic diagnosis of all the tumors was ossifying fibroma. Rostral mandibulectomy affords a simple and effective technique of treating tumors of the rostral portion of the mandible in horses.

Use of transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser to drain dorsal epiglottic abscesses in two horses.

A submucosal abscess, located on the dorsal surface of the epiglottis, was diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred racehorses by use of endoscopy. Both horses had exercise intolerance. One horse had intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, coughed while eating and galloping, and made an abnormal respiratory noise. Both abscesses were drained transendoscopically by use of a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Eleven days after surgery, the surgical sites appeared to have healed. Clinical signs resolved permanently, and both horses returned to successful racing careers.

Evaluation of peroral transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser and snare excision of subepiglottic cysts in horses.

Three basic techniques (and one modified technique) were developed, allowing successful excision of subepiglottic cysts in 10 horses (5 Standardbreds, 4 Thoroughbreds, and 1 Quarter Horse; mean age, 3.5 years) via peroral approach. This approach eliminated the need for laryngotomy or pharyngotomy and reduced postoperative care. None of the cysts redeveloped. Clinical signs of disease before surgery included respiratory noise, exercise intolerance, coughing, and dysphagia and were eliminated in all horses except one that raced successfully, but in which some respiratory noise was detected. Peroral subepiglottic cyst excision was performed on anesthetized horses that were positioned in lateral recumbency and intubated via the nares and trachea. General anesthesia allowed careful intraoral palpation and endoscopic visualization of the oropharynx on a television monitor. Custom-designed instruments, including a guide tube, cyst snare, and long grasping forceps, facilitated either laser or snare, or laser and snare cyst excision. Hemorrhage was negligible in all horses. Initial attempts to develop a technique to submucosally excise subepiglottic cysts through a transnasal transendoscopic approach in conscious horses, using a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser, were unsuccessful. In each of 3 horses, the cyst was inadvertently penetrated before it could be excised, causing it to collapse and disappear beneath the soft palate. Postoperative complications were excessive subepiglottic swelling after laser excision (n = 1 horse), which resolved completely in response to anti-inflammatory treatment, and subepiglottic cicatrix formation after snare excision (n = 1 horse), which required surgical excision of the cicatrix.

Correlation of performance with endoscopic and radiographic assessment of epiglottic hypoplasia in racehorses with epiglottic entrapment corrected by use of contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser.

Epiglottic entrapment in 35 Thoroughbred and 44 Standardbred horses was corrected transendoscopically by use of a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Before surgery, the entrapped epiglottis was classified as hypoplastic or normal in each horse on the basis of endoscopic appearance alone. Using a digitizer, thyroepiglottic length was determined from lateral-view laryngeal radiographs. For 78 racehorses, earnings (less than $5,000 or greater than $5,000) were compared before and after surgery. Earnings category and racing performance after surgery were tested for association with endoscopically determined epiglottic hypoplasia and radiographically determined thyroepiglottic length. Endoscopy and radiography were useful methods of evaluating the epiglottis in horses with epiglottic entrapment. Mean (+/- SD) thyroepiglottic length for both breeds of horses with epiglottic entrapment was significantly (P = 0.0001) smaller (Thoroughbreds, 7.28 +/- 0.67 cm; Standardbreds, 7.21 +/- 0.62 cm), compared with thyroepiglottic length measured from control groups composed of clinically normal Thoroughbred (8.56 +/- 0.29 cm) and Standardbred (8.74 +/- 0.38 cm) racehorses. Both breeds of horses with epiglottic entrapment that had endoscopically apparent hypoplastic epiglottis had significantly (P less than 0.0001) smaller thyroepiglottic length (Thoroughbreds, 6.64 +/- 0.60 cm; Standardbred, 6.93 +/- 0.72 cm) than did horses with epiglottic entrapment that had endoscopically normal epiglottis (Throughbreds, 7.57 +/- 0.47 cm, Standardbreds, 7.36 +/- 0.50 cm). Significant difference was not detected in endoscopic appearance of the epiglottis among age, gender, or breed distributions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevention and treatment of complications of bovine gastrointestinal surgery.

Abdominal surgery is the most common major surgical procedure performed by bovine practitioners. Most cattle, particularly dairy cattle, are sufficiently placid that major abdominal procedures are routinely completed with the animal standing, using local anesthesia and minimal physical and chemical restraint. An experienced bovine surgeon who exercises good judgment will infrequently encounter complications associated with this surgery. The purpose of this article is to describe the potential complications related to bovine abdominal surgery, how to avoid them, and how to treat them when they arise.

Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser correction of epiglottic entrapment in standing horses.

Fifty-seven Standardbred and 44 Thoroughbred racehorses and 1 Thoroughbred polo mare with primary clinical signs of exercise intolerance or respiratory tract noise or combined exercise intolerance and respiratory tract noise were referred for laser correction of epiglottic entrapment. Significantly (P less than 0.001) more Standardbred than Thoroughbred racehorses were affected, compared with the observed hospital population during the same period. At referral, 14 horses did not have evident epiglottic entrapment and were returned to exercise without development of entrapment after treatment, which consisted of 1 week of rest and administration of anti-inflammatory medication. In 88 standing horses under sedation and topical anesthesia, epiglottic entrapment was corrected transendoscopically by use of a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. In these 88 horses, 98% of entrapments were persistent, 92% were thick, 97% were wide, and 45% were ulcerated. Thirty-one percent of the horses had endoscopic evidence of epiglottic hypoplasia, and 8% had deviated epiglottic axis. Complete correction was achieved in 97% of the horses, Persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 1 horse and severe epiglottic hypoplasia with thick, chronic entrapping membranes in 2 horses precluded successful transendoscopic correction with the horses in standing position. Most horses were treated on an outpatient basis, and all were able to be returned to exercise after 7 to 14 days of rest and treatment with anti-inflammatory medication. Entrapment recurred in 4 horses (5%), 3 of which had hypoplastic epiglottis. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate developed after surgery in 9 horses (10%) and continued in 4 horses (5%) that had displaced soft palate before surgery. All these horses had epiglottic hypoplasia. Laser correction of epiglottic entrapment in standing horses was safe, well tolerated, and effective. Laser surgery was an alternative to conventional surgery, and eliminated the need for general anesthesia and laryngotomy. It also reduced convalescence and postoperative complications.