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Principal Investigator: Dr. Normand Ducharme
Contact Information: E-mail: ngd1@cornell.edu - Phone: 607-253-3109
Sponsor: New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc.
Grant Number: N/A
Title: Enhancements for Treatment of Laryngeal Hemiplegia (roaring) in Horses
Annual Direct Cost: $5,159
Project Period: 05/01/06-04/30/07
Horses affected with "roaring" are usually treated using a tie-back procedure where two pieces of cartilage are sutured open to keep the flapper (arytenoid cartilage) open. The suture-cartilage interaction is not strong, and the main problem with this surgery is the sutures tend to cut through the cartilage. Indeed, although 90% of the horses have fully open larynx immediately after surgery, 6 weeks after surgery the arytenoid cartilage has dropped so the airway is only about 60% open. At this time about 65-70% of horses respond to surgery, although there is concern the horses that return to racing might not reach their potential because their airway is not fully open.
We propose to investigate a few new techniques to attempt to make improvements in cartilage fixation in tie-back surgery. These pilot studies will test a few different anchoring techniques and methods to fix the cricoarytenoid articulation (flapper joint) so the flapper cannot drop. For this study, we will test newly designed anchoring sutures as well as a resorbable calcium substitute (Norian® by Synthes) designed to fix the cricoarytenoid joint in place.
The different anchoring sutures/devices will each be tested in a fresh larynx, and the ability of the cartilage to resist pressure will be monitored. Testing of different implantation techniques will also be required to adapt the sutures/devices to equine larynges.
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