Surgical method to create vocal fold injuries in mice.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to develop a surgical method for the creation of vocal fold injuries in mice, as a precursor to the use of genetically engineered mouse models in the study of vocal fold wound healing and scar formation.


METHODS
Seven FVB strain mice were used in this study. A laryngoscope and 3 micro-instruments were designed and fabricated to facilitate endoscopic vocal fold visualization and the creation of vocal fold surgical injuries. The larynges were harvested 1 and 7 days after surgery, and the vocal fold injury sites were evaluated by routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additional immunohistochemical analysis of collagen type I and elastin distribution in the lamina propria was performed for an uninjured control larynx.


RESULTS
Endoscopic visualization and vocal fold stripping resulting in thyroarytenoid muscle exposure were successful in all animals. Histologic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed a simple lamina propria structure with relatively even collagen type I and elastin distribution in the control vocal fold, obliteration of vocal fold mucosa 1 day after surgery, and complete reepithelialization by 7 days.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the feasibility of creating reproducible vocal fold injuries via an endoscopic approach in mice. The observation that the mouse lamina propria may have a relatively simple histologic structure indicates that additional characterization should be performed and caution used in translating findings between this and other model systems.
Yamashita
Masaru
M
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Bless
Diane M
DM
Welham
Nathan V
NV