In vitro mechanical evaluation of equine laryngeal tie-forward constructs performed with different suture materials and placement patterns

Surgical rostral advancement of the larynx, also known as the laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) procedure, is the treatment of choice for dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in horses. The LTF procedure can be performed with different suture materials and different suture patterns or techniques. We investigated and compared the mechanical characteristics of in vitro LTF constructs prepared with commonly used suture materials using different techniques. Also, we compared the maximal loads at failure of the in vitro LTF constructs to the loads exerted on the sutures tightened to achieve adequate rostral advancement of the larynx in cadaver horses. There was no difference in maximal load at failure between the constructs prepared with polyethylene sutures and the constructs prepared with similarly placed polyester sutures. However, the constructs prepared with polyethylene sutures by use of the standard technique were significantly stronger than the ones prepared with polyethylene or polyester sutures combined with metallic implants. Moreover, the constructs prepared with polyethylene sutures and metallic implants rapidly approached their maximal load at failure. The suture material and technique influenced the constructs failure mode and suture elongation at failure. Despite these results, the maximal load at failure for all in vitro constructs was significantly higher than the maximal suture loads recorded in the cadaver horses. The results suggest that the LTF procedure can be performed in vivo with any of the suture materials and techniques tested in this study. However, polyethylene sutures placed with the standard technique may be clinically superior in horses with DDSP as these provided the highest mechanical strength and resistance to elongation, which may avoid retraction of the larynx and increased probability of racing after surgery.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

VMS-Veterinary Clinical Medcne

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Santos, Marcos

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gutierrez Nibeyro, Santiago D.

• laryngeal tie-forward procedure
• dorsal displacement of the soft palate
• mechanical evaluation
• equine

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Marcos Santos

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50639

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/50639