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Controlled laryngoplasty for vocal cord medialization: A technique using tissue expansion
Author(s) -
Kuriloff Daniel B.,
Blaugrund Stanley M.,
Krespi Yosef P.,
Goldsher Moshe
Publication year - 1990
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 - 10.1288/00005537-199006000-00012
Subject(s) - laryngoplasty , thyroid cartilage , perichondrium , cord , medicine , silastic , vocal cord paralysis , glottis , tissue expansion , larynx , surgery , anatomy , cartilage , paralysis
Laryngeal framework surgery has become an increasingly popular alternative to Teflon® injection for vocal rehabilitation. Vocal cord medialization requires custom tailoring of the implant's size and shape to optimize individual vocal quality, whether it be via the interposition of Silastic® implants between the thyroid ala and the inner thyroid perichondrium or through a cartilage window. A new technique is described for vocal cord medialization using an implanted miniature tissue expander. Intra‐operative and postoperative vocal cord medialization was achieved in a canine model by controlled percutaneous filling of a remote injection valve. The implants were well tolerated and allowed continued control of vocal cord position for several weeks. Using this technique, vocal quality can be fine‐tuned with a degree of precision not previously possible. The advantages, limitations, and technical aspects of expansion laryngoplasty are discussed.