Effect of combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy on upper airway mechanics in clinically normal horses running on a treadmill. ANIMALS: 6 Standardbreds. PROCEDURE: Upper airway mechanics were measured with horses trotting or pacing on a treadmill at 5, 8, and 10 m/s before and 6 weeks after combined staphylectomy and laryngotomy. Pharyngeal and tracheal inspiratory and expiratory pressure were measured by use of transnasal tracheal and pharyngeal side hole catheters connected to differential pressure transducers. A pneumotachograph mounted on the rostral end of an airtight face mask was used to measure airflow. RESULTS: Upper airway and translaryngeal inspirator..