Evaluation of a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system in vitro with an equine vacuum airflow system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a prototype dynamic laryngoplasty system (DLPS) in a static airflow model.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental.

SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten equine larynges.

METHODS: The right arytenoid was fixed in abduction in all specimens. A left-sided laryngoplasty was performed with No. 2 Fiberwire and a FASTakII anchor. Each larynx was tested in a static airflow model. The system was adjusted to a flow rate of 55 L/s and prelaryngeal pressure of 12 mm Hg prior to testing in maximal arytenoid abduction. In phase 1, the left suture was loosened, shortened, and tested in 3-mm steps from 0 to 30 mm. In phase 2, the suture was tied with the DLPS in position at a target left-to-right quotient angle (LRQ) of 0.5. The DLPS was activated to target psi of 0, 25, and 50 for testing. Translaryngeal impedance (TLI), LRQ, cross-sectional areas (CSA), and resultant change in LRQ and CSA between, before, and during airflow testing were calculated.

RESULTS: In phase 1, TLI was reduced by suture shortening up to 6 mm (P = .001) but not by additional shortening (P > .05). In phase 2, activation of the DLPS reduced the TLI from 0 psi (0.43 ± 0.08 mm Hg/L/s) to 25 psi (0.16 ± 0.04 mm Hg/L/s, P < .001), but no further reduction was detected at maximal psi (P = .10).

CONCLUSION: Activation of the DLPS effectively reduced TLI.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results justify further investigation of the DLPS to assess its clinical applicability.