Effects of Intracordal Estradiol and Dexamethasone Injection on Wound Healing in Vocal Fold Injuries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intracordal estradiol and dexamethasone injection on wound healing in vocal fold injuries. A prospective controlled animal study was carried out. This study was conducted at a tertiary center. Ten rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. As surgical procedure, cordotomy technique was performed in the middle third of the vocal folds bilaterally. In the first group, 0.1 mL of dexamethasone was injected into the right side, and 0.1 mL of saline was injected into the left side. In the second group, 0.1 mL of estradiol was injected into the right side, and 0.1 mL of saline was injected into the left side. Animals were sacrificed after 1 month and laryngeal specimens were evaluated histopathologically. No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of inflammatory response, epithelial thickness, type I and III collagen, and hyaluronic acid parameters in dexamethasone and estradiol injections compared to the saline injection. In terms of elastin level, estradiol injection demonstrated statistically higher values compared to the saline injection. Elastin level of dexamethasone injected vocal folds was not statistically different compared to the saline injection. No significant differences were observed in terms of inflammatory response, epithelial thickness, type I and III collagen, and hyaluronic acid parameters between the estradiol and dexamethasone injected vocal folds. It is thought that the effects of estradiol or dexamethasone injections may have similar effects on wound healing in vocal fold injuries. Intracordal estradiol injection has positive effects on tissue elastin levels.