Tracheal resection and anastomosis after traumatic tracheal stenosis in a horse.

OBJECTIVES

To report a resection and anastomosis technique to treat trauma-induced tracheal stenosis.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

ANIMALS: A 9-year-old Warmblood gelding.

METHODS

Endoscopy, radiography, and ultrasonography were used to diagnose a single ring tracheal stenosis; the stenotic region was resected and adjacent tracheal rings anastomosed with an end-to-end technique.

RESULTS

The anastomosis healed completely despite formation of a unilateral partial mucosal stenosis "web," which was subsequently removed by transendoscopic laser surgery. During tracheal anastomosis, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was damaged, causing laryngeal hemiplegia, later treated successfully by laryngoplasty. The horse returned to its previous level of work.

CONCLUSIONS

This tracheal resection and anastomosis technique successfully provided the horse with a large tracheal lumen, and despite major complications, allowed a return to full athletic work.