Reflex vocal fold adduction in the porcine model: the effects of stimuli delivered to various sensory nerves.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify a panel of sensory nerves capable of eliciting an evoked glottic closure reflex (GCR) and to quantify the glottic closing force (GCF) of these responses in a porcine model.


METHODS
In 5 pigs, the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) and the trigeminal, pharyngeal plexus, glossopharyngeal, radial, and intercostal nerves were surgically isolated and electrically stimulated. During stimulation of each nerve, the GCR was detected by laryngeal electromyography and the GCF was measured with a pressure transducer.


RESULTS
The only nerve that elicited the GCR in the 5 pigs was the iSLN. The average GCF was 288.9 mm Hg.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the only afferent nerve that elicits the GCR in pigs is the iSLN, and that it should remain the focus of research for the rehabilitation of patients with absent or defective reflex vocal fold adduction.
Woo
Jeong-Soo
JS
Section of Otolaryngology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8041, USA.
Hundal
Jagdeep S
JS
Sasaki
Clarence T
CT
Abdelmessih
Mikhail W
MW
Kelleher
Stephen P
SP
D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography; D005930:Glossopharyngeal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D005931:Glottis / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology*