Standing upper airway surgery: what can be done?

Abstract

Performing a number of different upper respiratory tract surgeries in the standing sedated horse is advantageous because it improves accessibility and the anatomy is in a more appropriate location. Standing surgery avoids the risk of general anaesthesia, affording a significant advantage to the horse and owner. However, this has to be weighed up against the increased risk of performing surgery in the standing sedated horse to the surgeon and the rest of the surgery team. Often, specialist facilities and equipment are required as well as a more in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and the procedure, along with a move advanced skill set. This article describes the procedures of upper airway surgery that lend themselves to being performed in the standing sedated horse.