Technique description and outcome evaluation of Thoroughbred racehorses following soft palate thermocautery performed under standing sedation

Background: Palatal dysfunction (PD), which encompasses palatal instability (PI) and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, is the most common performance-limiting upper respiratory tract obstruction in young Thoroughbred racehorses. Soft palate thermocautery (SPT) performed under general anaesthesia is a routinely performed procedure for PD in some countries, but the procedure for and outcome of SPT performed under standing sedation has not been published.

Objectives: (1) To describe a technique for SPT performed under standing sedation; and (2) to assess post-operative performance in horses compared to controls using the Racing Post rating (RPR), British Horseracing Authority official rating (OR), Performance Index and Earnings.

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for all horses that had SPT performed under standing sedation following topical and local infusion of lidocaine hydrochloride into the rostral soft palate, and that were identified to have PI by overground endoscopy. Two matched controls were identified for each case. The median RPR, OR, Performance Index and Earnings for the three pre-operative and three post-operative races were compared.

Results: No significant differences were identified between the SPT (n = 23) and Control groups (n = 46) for baseline characteristics or outcomes.

Main limitations: Retrospective study design, small sample size.

Conclusions: No significant differences in racing performance were identified between horses that had SPT performed under standing sedation and controls.