Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41979158›Full record

ArticleEquine veterinary journal2026

Delphi consensus on Thoroughbred yearling sales endoscopy in Australasia.

Josephine L Hardwick, Benjamin J Ahern, Brian H Anderson, Samantha H Franklin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Equine veterinary journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Josephine L HardwickSchool of Animal And Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7537-9041
Benjamin J AhernSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5527-8964
Brian H AndersonBallarat Veterinary Practice, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Samantha H FranklinSchool of Animal And Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6761-5371

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundConcerns regarding the reliability and consistency of yearling sales endoscopy in Australia and New Zealand have led to reduced industry confidence. Recent studies have clarified the relationship between yearling laryngeal function (YLF) grades and future outcomes.

objectivesTo build expert consensus on the most appropriate method for grading YLF, assess the clinical relevance of each grade on future race performance and prosthetic laryngoplasty risk, and develop guidelines for pre-sale endoscopic technique. STUDY

designModified Delphi study.

methodsAnonymous, iterative surveys were distributed to expert veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥75% agreement. Surveys included closed and open-ended questions, with qualitative and quantitative data analysed after each round. Panellists received a summary of responses before each subsequent round. Items reaching consensus were excluded from later rounds, and new items were added based on panellist feedback.

resultsThree survey rounds were completed, with 40 veterinarians, 39 (97.5%) and 37 (92.3%) respectively. Consensus was achieved on adopting the Havemeyer grading system, standardising pre-sale endoscopic techniques, and implementing a four-tier risk-rating system for YLF grades. Grades I and II.1 YLF were classified as low-risk; grade II.2 as low-moderate-risk; grade III.1 as moderate-risk; and ≥grade III.2 as high-risk. Descriptors were developed to guide risk categorisation based on observed YLF. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Steering committee members were involved in prior research.

conclusionsThis study provides a foundation for evidence-based guidelines that enhance the transparency, consistency, and animal welfare in yearling sales endoscopy, supporting better-informed purchasing decisions.

Indexed as

EndoscopyHorse DiseasesAnimalsAustralasiaAustraliaCommerceConsensusDelphi TechniqueHorsesNew ZealandVeterinariansclinical guidelinesconsensushorsesalesupper airway

Identifiers

PMID41979158
PMCPMC13447881

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.