title: Electrophysiologic activity of the vestibular fold.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the vestibular fold muscle after cordectomy and laryngeal reconstruction, the pattern of motor unit recruitment during sound emission, and the morphologic characteristics of motor unit action potentials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary academic hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 11 men (mean age, 65.7 years; age range, 53-82 years) who underwent laryngofissure, cordectomy, and laryngeal reconstruction with a vestibular fold flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laryngeal electromyography with the insertion of a needle electrode for the assessment of the electrophysiologic activity of thyroartenoid muscle fibers and of the cricothyroid muscle on the operated on and nonoperated on sides. The thyroarytenoid muscle was evaluated by introducing a needle electrode through the thyroid cartilage and the cricothyroid membrane.
  
  
  METHODS
  Activities of needle insertion, spontaneous muscle activity during rest, and pattern of motor unit recruitment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients (64%) had vestibular fold muscle fiber, all of whom showed motor unit recruitment in response to sound emission. No neurogenic muscle injuries were observed except in 1 patient with evidence of chronic injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After cordectomy and laryngeal reconstruction, thyroarytenoid muscle fibers are present in the vestibular fold, with motor unit recruitment during sound emission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 3900 Ave Bandeirantes, Bairro Monte Alegre, 14048-900 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. hricz@fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Hilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ricz
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Lílian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aguiar-Ricz
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Rui Celso Martins
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mamede
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery