Objective: To determine the effect of horse age and laryngeal prosthesis location on rima glottidis area in cadaveric larynges.
Study design: Experimental study.
Animals: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 40).
Methods: Specimens were grouped by age: group 1, ≤5 years (n = 18); group 2, >5 to ≤10 years (n = 12); group 3, >10 years (n = 10). A cranial prosthesis was placed through the dorsal cricoid spine at 70% of the distance of the total cricoid length measured from the caudal rim. A dorsal prosthesis was placed through the caudal rim of the cricoid on the dorsal midline. A lateral prosthesis was placed 1.5 cm lateral to the dorsal prosthesis. All prostheses passed through the muscular process. Rima glottidis area was determined after progressively tightening each suture in 5 N increments from 0 N to 35 N using a tensiometer.
Results: There was no significant effect of age on the area of the rima glottidis at any load for any of the three prosthesis locations.
Conclusions: Age did not affect the area of the rima glottidis when prostheses were loaded between 5 N and 35 N.
© Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.