In vitro comparison of 3 techniques of prosthesis attachment to the muscular process of the equine arytenoid cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree and ease of arytenoid abduction achieved with abaxial placement of a FASTak II suture anchor compared to 2 suture patterns with different directions of insertion-caudomedial to craniolateral and medial to lateral.

STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo experimental.

STUDY POPULATION: Cadaveric larynges from 10 Standardbred racehorses.

METHODS: Each larynx was sequentially instrumented with all 3 arytenoid suture attachment in random order: (1) abaxial placement of a FASTak II suture, (2) caudomedial to craniolateral suture, and (3) medial to lateral suture placement. Each construct was abducted at 5N increments from 0 to 25N and the left to right quotient angle ratio (LRQ) measured from digital pictures acquired at each sequential increment.

RESULTS: Arytenoid abduction (higher LRQ) was greater with FASTak II construct than either of the suture patterns. The largest difference occurred at 5N. Approximately 50% less force was required to achieve an LRQ of 1.0 with the FASTak II anchor compared to the suture patterns. No difference was detected between the 2 suture constructs throughout the study.

CONCLUSION: Use of the FASTak II suture anchor improved arytenoid abduction compared to 2 suture patterns and minimized the suture loads required to achieve maximum arytenoid abduction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the FASTak II anchor may decrease the suture load required to achieve arytenoid abduction in clinical cases. This may reduce the load placed on the laryngoplasty, thereby, minimizing postoperative loss of abduction.