Variations in the application of equine prosthetic laryngoplasty: A survey of 128 equine surgeons

OBJECTIVE: To document variations in the application of equine prosthetic laryngoplasty among equine surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: Cross‐sectional survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Six hundred and seventy‐eight equine surgeons performing prosthetic laryngoplasty. METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to equine surgeons, including diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and European College of Veterinary Surgeons. Questions focused on participant profile, surgical technique, antimicrobial therapy, and concurrent procedures. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the survey output. RESULTS: Complete responses were received from 128/678 individuals, mostly from experienced surgeons. Most participants used 2 prostheses (106/128, 82.8%) and a single loop was the most common method used to anchor the prosthesis in the cricoid (95/128, 74.2%) and arytenoid (125/128, 97.7%) cartilages. Use of general anesthesia was common, although 46/128 (35.9%) participants now performed most laryngoplasty surgery with standing sedation. The material used as a prosthesis varied among surgeons, although participants typically aimed to achieve grade 2 intraoperative arytenoid abduction. Participants most commonly administered perioperative systemic antimicrobial therapy for 1‐3 days (57/128, 44.5%) and 48/128 (37.5%) used local antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSION: Most surgeons performed laryngoplasty with 2 prostheses, a single loop construct at the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage and systemic antimicrobial therapy. There was variation in the preferred method of surgical restraint, prosthesis material selection, and use of local antimicrobial therapy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Long‐established techniques remain popular in clinical practice despite evidence that variations offer advantages, particularly in relation to biomechanics. Other factors are also likely to influence technique selection in a clinical context.