Cleft soft palate repair in a 10 month old foal
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Chester, a 10 month old Oldenberg colt, presented to the Cornell University Equine Hospital for evaluation and repair of a cleft soft palate. Endoscopic evaluation revealed a very wide cleft that spanned over 2/3 of the caudal soft palate as well as feed material throughout his airways. Thoracic ultrasound revealed mild aspiration pneumonia. The palate was visualized via a combined mandibular symphysiotomy and laryngotomy approach and repaired using two mucosal flaps to cover the defect since the width of the cleft precluded a standard repair. Postoperatively, the caudal aspect of the repair broke down resulting in persistent mild bilateral nasal discharge. The lag screws used to secure the mandible also loosened leaving a gap between the first mandibular incisors. Due to the anticipated performance level of the horse, the owner elected a second procedure which has yet to be performed.
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Seminar SF610.1 2010