Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Extraluminal, C shaped polyethylene prostheses in two ponies with tracheal collapse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Busschers, Evita et al.
- Affiliation:
- George D. Widener Hospital · United States
Plain-English summary
In this report, two ponies with severe tracheal collapse, which is when the windpipe becomes weak and collapses, underwent surgery to help support their tracheas. The veterinarians used a special technique to place C-shaped plastic supports around the trachea. Initially, the supports were too small, so one pony needed a second surgery to fix this. After the surgery, both ponies showed significant improvement in their breathing problems, but one pony had to be put to sleep three and a half years later due to other issues. The other pony was doing well a year after the surgery. Overall, the surgery helped both ponies with their breathing difficulties.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical technique, complications, and outcome after use of extraluminal prostheses in 2 ponies with severe tracheal collapse. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Ponies (n=2) with severe tracheal collapse. METHODS: A ventral median approach was used to expose the trachea from the larynx to the manubrium. Extraluminal, high-density polyethylene, C-shaped prostheses were sutured to the dorsal tracheal membrane and tracheal rings to provide external tracheal support. RESULTS: The surgical approach provided good tracheal access and placement of the rings was uncomplicated. Initial estimates of the tracheal diameter from preoperative radiographs resulted in prostheses that were too small at surgery requiring a 2nd surgical procedure in 1 pony. Postoperative complications were coughing, right laryngeal hemiplegia, seroma formation, and antimicrobial induced colitis. Both ponies had marked resolution of clinical abnormalities after surgery. Recurrent esophageal obstruction resulted in euthanasia of 1 pony 3.5 years after surgery. The other pony was doing well 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Extraluminal support of the trachea resulted in rapid resolution of clinical signs in 2 ponies with tracheal collapse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Extraluminal tracheal prostheses can resolve clinical abnormalities in ponies with severe tracheal collapse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20704694/