Epiglottic augmentation for treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses: 59 cases (1985-1994).

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether epiglottic augmentation, in conjunction with more traditional surgical methods, would be useful in the treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

ANIMALS: 40 Thoroughbred and 19 Standardbred racehorses.

PROCEDURE: Polytetrafluoroethylene paste was injected submucosally on the lingual epiglottic surface of each horse. In addition, sternothyrohyoideus myectomy or sternothyroideus tenectomy and staphylectomy were performed in most horses.

RESULTS

Racing performance was improved after surgery in 29 of 40 (73%) Thoroughbreds and 10 of 19 (53%) Standardbreds. Twenty-nine (49%) horses won > or = 1 race after surgery.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that epiglottic augmentation, in conjunction with other surgical methods, may be an effective method of treating horses with poor racing performance attributable to dorsal displacement of the soft palate.