Standing equine surgery of the upper respiratory tract.

The purpose of this article is to review the literature and personal experiences of equine surgeons so as to describe procedures that can be performed in the standing sedated horse to alleviate conditions that result in upper respiratory tract obstruction. Upper respiratory tract surgery requires attention to detail, meticulous planning, and careful dissection and execution with little room for error. This article describes a selection of standing upper airway procedures, the indications for and possible complications of these surgeries, and advantages and disadvantages of a particular method.

Partial resection of the plica salpingopharyngeus for the treatment of three foals with bilateral tympany of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch).

Case Description: 3 foals were referred for treatment of tympany of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch).

Clinical Findings: Bilateral guttural pouch tympany was diagnosed in all 3 foals on the basis of clinical signs and results of radiographic and endoscopic evaluations and gutturocentesis. In each foal, previous medical or surgical interventions or both had failed to correct the problem.