EQUINE | Abstracts
Evaluation of the effect of laser salpingopharyngostomy
on the guttural pouch environment in horses
Chantelle C. Jukic Nicholas R. Cowling Nigel R. Perkins Andrew W. van Eps Benjamin J. Ahern
Background
Laser salpingopharyngostomy has been used as an
adjunct to primary medical therapy allowing for topical
debridement, topical treatment or to potentially alter
the guttural pouch environment in horses with guttural
pouch disease.
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of a laser salpingopharyngostomy
on the guttural pouch environment in healthy horses.
Study design
Experimental study.
Methods
In six adult Standardbred female horses, under
standing sedation a stab incision was made ventral to
the sternocephalicus tendon and a customised trocar
inserted into the medial guttural pouch compartment.
Baseline (day 0) temperature, humidity, oxygen (O2)
and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were recorded. A
laser salpingopharyngostomy was subsequently
made into the right guttural pouch. The guttural
pouch environment was re‐sampled as above on
days 7 and 14 to detect differences in the local
environment of the guttural pouch caused by the laser
salpingopharyngostomy.
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Results
The guttural pouch environment was altered by the
laser salpingopharyngostomy. Baseline recorded
values within the guttural pouch were highly constant
within each horse. Post laser salpingopharyngostomy
there was considerable variation within the guttural
pouch between horse and during the period
of sampling. Specifically, CO2 levels post laser
salpingopharyngostomy appeared to be linked directly
to the horse's respiratory pattern with peaks and troughs
recorded post laser salpingopharyngostomy. The
variation in CO2 was significantly different at days 7 and
14 post laser salpingopharyngostomy compared with
baseline levels (day 7 = 6 mm Hg, day 14 = 8.83 mm Hg).
Oxygen levels were also more varied during sampling
compared with baseline (day 7 = 3.4%, day 14 = 1.83%).
There was no change in humidity or temperature during
the study.
Main limitations
This study was conducted on horses with no evidence of
guttural pouch abnormalities or disease.
Conclusions
Laser salpingopharyngostomy alters the guttural pouch
environment and this may be useful in the treatment of
guttural pouch disease where this alteration is desirable.
• Equine Health Update •