Mechanical evaluation of the equine laryngoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
Mechanical evaluation of the equine laryngoplasty.


METHODS
Experimental.


METHODS
Cadaveric cricoid (n=36) and arytenoid (46) cartilages.


METHODS
Arytenoid and cricoid cartilage specimens were embedded for testing. Suture material (2 Ethilon, 5 Ethibond, or 5 Fiberwire) was inserted simulating laryngoplasty procedures. Constructs were evaluated in single or cyclic loading. Single cycle tests recorded load at failure and stiffness. Cyclical tests recorded displacement after 10,000 cycles. ANOVA and t-tests were used (significance P<.05).


RESULTS
The arytenoid Ethibond (241.10+/-47.67 N) constructs were stronger in single cycle than Ethilon (133.85+/-27.89 N) and Fiberwire (142.67+/-32.40 N). The cricoid Ethibond (220.39+/-49.11 N) constructs were stronger than Ethilon (171.93+/-21.19). The stiffness of Ethilon constructs was lower in both the arytenoid and cricoid compared with Ethibond and Fiberwire. The arytenoids failed at a lower load than the cricoids for Ethilon and Fiberwire but not Ethibond constructs. In cyclic testing complete failure of either cartilage did not occur. Arytenoid Ethibond constructs (0.43+/-0.21 mm) had less distraction than Ethilon (0.92+/-0.41 mm) and a trend for less compared with Fiberwire (0.83+/-0.43 mm; P=.0513). Cricoid Ethibond constructs (0.45+/-0.18 mm) had less distraction compared with Ethilon (1.04+/-0.30 mm) and Fiberwire (0.97+/-0.45 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Ethibond was superior to Ethilon and Fiberwire constructs in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Abduction loss after laryngoplasty is a common complication. The results of this study suggest that the use of Ethibond should minimize abduction loss after surgery relative to the other materials tested.
Ahern
Benjamin J
BJ
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA. ahern@vet.upenn.edu
Parente
Eric J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000662:veterinary*; D011091:Polyesters; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011095:Polyethylenes; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength
C014534:Ethibond; C487884:No. 2 Fiberwire; D011091:Polyesters; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011095:Polyethylenes