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Stimulation of denervated muscle promotes selective reinnervation, prevents synkinesis, and restores function
Author(s) -
Zealear David L.,
Mainthia Rajshri,
Li Yike,
Kunibe Isamu,
Katada Akihiro,
Billante Cheryl,
Nomura Kenichiro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24454
Subject(s) - reinnervation , medicine , electromyography , stimulation , glottis , anesthesia , stimulus (psychology) , reflex arc , anatomy , larynx , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , psychotherapist
Objectives/Hypothesis Previously, electrical stimulation of denervated canine laryngeal muscle was shown to promote reinnervation by native over foreign motoneurons. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of different stimulus paradigms on reinnervation quality and functional recovery. Study Design A prospective study of six canines over 8 to 20 months. Methods A clinical model of laryngeal paralysis was used, where recurrent laryngeal nerves of the animals were sectioned and ventilation compromised. The abductor, posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles were implanted bilaterally with electrodes from an implantable pulse generator. Animals were randomly assigned to three groups to assess the effect of different stimulus paradigms: 1) 40 pulses per second (pps) train, 2) 10 pps train, 3) no stimulation. Spontaneous vocal fold movement was measured endoscopically during hypercapnia. Exercise tolerance was measured on a treadmill using pulse oximetry. In the terminal session, electromyography (EMG) potentials were recorded during superior laryngeal nerve stimulation to index foreign reinnervation of the PCA by reflex glottic closure (RGC) motoneurons. Results After reinnervation started, nonstimulated and stimulated 40 pps animals displayed paradoxical closure of the glottis during hypercapnia and severely decreased exercise tolerance due to faulty reinnervation. In contrast, stimulated 10 pps animals displayed minimal paradoxical closure and normal exercise tolerance (12 minutes up to 8 mph). EMG findings in this group demonstrated significantly less PCA reinnervation by foreign RGC motoneurons. Conclusion PCA stimulation with low frequency reduced synkinetic reinnervation by foreign RGC motoneurons. Paradoxical closure of the glottis with inspiration was reduced and exercise tolerance restored to normal. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope , 124:E180–E187, 2014