Reardon R J M, Fraser B S L, Heller J, Lischer C, Parkin T, Bladon B M
Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery, Oxford Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JB, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2008 Jul;40(5):508-13. doi: 10.2746/042516408X320898.
There have been no reports of the efficacy of thermocautery of the soft palate (TSP) assessed objectively as a treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
To compare: racing performance of horses that underwent thermocautery of the soft palate with matched controls; and 'Racing Post ratings' (RPR) with prize money won (RE) and a performance index (PI) for each of the horses in the study.
Thermocautery of the soft palate has no beneficial effect on racing performance and the 3 measures of performance are significantly related.
The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 110 horses and each was matched with 2 controls. Changes in performance were compared statistically. RPR, RE and PI were analysed using a regression model.
The percentage of horses that improved in performance following the procedure was 28-51% for the 3 measures of performance, compared to 21-53% for the matched controls. There was no significant effect of the procedure on the changes in RPR or RE. There was a significant effect of the procedure on the change in PI (P=0.015) with more treated horses achieving an improved PI and fewer acquiring a worse PI than matched control horses. The measures of performance showed significant correlation.
Thermocautery of the soft palate alone may not be the most efficacious treatment of DDSP.
Production of a reliable measure of racehorse performance may be possible.
目前尚无关于软腭热灼术（TSP）作为治疗软腭间歇性背侧移位（DDSP）的疗效的客观评估报告。
比较：接受软腭热灼术的马匹与匹配对照组马匹的比赛成绩；以及本研究中每匹马的“赛马邮报评分”（RPR）与赢得的奖金（RE）和性能指数（PI）。
软腭热灼术对比赛成绩没有有益影响，且这三种性能指标显著相关。
110匹马符合纳入标准，每匹马与2个对照组进行匹配。对性能变化进行统计学比较。使用回归模型分析RPR、RE和PI。
就三种性能指标而言，术后性能有所改善的马匹百分比为28 - 51%，而匹配对照组为21 - 53%。该手术对RPR或RE的变化没有显著影响。该手术对PI的变化有显著影响（P = 0.015），与匹配的对照马匹相比，接受治疗的马匹中PI改善的更多，PI变差的更少。性能指标显示出显著相关性。
单独的软腭热灼术可能不是治疗DDSP最有效的方法。
可能产生一种可靠的赛马性能测量方法。
