Self-designed adjustable titanium screw in treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis:an observation of curative effects

Abstract

Objective:To observe the curative effects of self-designed adjustable titanium screw in treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis in dogs.Methods:We designed and prepared an adjustable titanium screw.The beagle dogs were divided into an experimental group and a control group (n=3) at random.Animals in the experimental group had their left recurrent laryngeal nerve resected and received implantation of adjustable titanium screw.The left arytenoid cartilage was adjusted to allow the left vocal cord in the middle,so as to achieve glottis closure when making a sound.The dogs in the control group only received recurrent laryngeal nerve resection.Observation with electron fibrolaryngoscope and CT was done immediately,1,2,and 4 months after operation; electron fibrolaryngoscope was also used before operation.The curative effects and the prognoses of dogs were observed.Results:Four months after operation electron fibrolaryngoscope found that the adjustable screw in the experimental group could make the left arytenoid cartilage move inwardly,benefiting glottis closure and improving the voice quality.Animals in the control group had their left vocal cord located in the paramedina position,and there was cleft during glottis closure.CT image indicated that the adjustable screw was in a good position,and there was no breaking off.Local slight inflammation was seen in both groups 1,2,and 4 moths after operation.Tntrinsic laryngeal muscle atrophy aggravated as time passing by.There was no severe inflammation around the implants or implants excretion.Conclusion:Our adjustable screw is easy to perform in surgical treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis; it can be adjusted during operation and the outcome can be observed in time.The short-time effect is confirmed and the method is worth popularizing.