VN June 2021

Vetnews | June 2021 9 Article The suture acts as a “prosthetic” for the paralysed muscle. With the ventriculocordectomy, the ventricle and the vocal cord of the larynx are removed to widen the airway and reduce or eliminate the respiratory noise. The laryngoplasty is a non-physiologic procedure and is associated with complications such as chronic coughing or dysphagia. In cases diagnosed in the early stage of laryngeal hemiplegia, the cricoarytenoid dorsalis muscle is not completely paralysed and thereforecanbereinnervatedwithotherhealthynervesfromtheneck to restore normal innervation and functionality. This particular filly was in an early stage of the disease (grade 3 out of 4) and was treated with a combination of the above-mentioned techniques – what is called a“dynamic neuroprosthesis technique”. The laryngoplasty (tie- back) was modified by placing a prosthesis with an anchor screw and metallic button, and the reinnervation of the cricoarytenoid dorsalis muscle was performed with the C1-C2 cervical and accessory nerve. The ventriculocordectomy was performed with laser surgery under endoscopic control thus avoiding direct incision into the larynx (the classic technique). The surgery was performed with the patient in a standing position with sedation and local anaesthesia, thus avoiding the risk and cost associated with general anaesthesia, such as prolonged recovery, orthopaedic injuries, myopathy or neuropathy. This new approach is more physiologic and is associated with less potential complications when compared to the classic laryngoplasty procedure. This technique was first described last year by Dr Norm Ducharme from Cornell Veterinary School (USA) and Dr Fabrice Rossignol from Grosbois Equine Clinic (France), but Dr Muñoz said that it is, to their knowledge, the first case treated with this modified technique in South Africa and probably on the African continent. He added: “The procedure went well, and the recovery time will be around three months before the filly returns to racing.” Professor Amelia Goddard, Head of the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, said that in recent months there have been several breakthroughs in her department that were firsts for South Africa. This includes life-saving heart surgery on two dogs by Dr Adriaan Kitshoff and Dr Ross Elliott from the department, who used a ground-breaking approach that entails dilating the opening of a heart valve with a balloon. In addition, Dr Elge Bester and Dr Adriaan Kitshoff conducted South Africa’s first partial knee replacement on Theophyline the cat. “This shows that our academics have world- class expertise and are comparable with the world’s best veterinary scientists,”Prof Goddard said. v