title: Augmentation of vocal fold using a fat block implant following cordotomy through a minithyrotomy approach in a rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Minithyrotomy is a novel approach that provides direct access to the lamina propria and vocalis muscle without requiring incision of the vocal fold mucosa. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of minithyrotomy vocal fold augmentation in a rabbit model by comparing the vocal fold total square amount and the density of scars between the cordotomy with minithyrotomy group and a cordotomy without minithyrotomy group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty adult laboratory-conditioned female rabbits were used for this study. Minithyrotomy vocal fold augmentation was performed using a single fat block implant 3 months after cordotomy. To compare total square amount and density of vocal folds between the minithyrotomy and cordotomy group, hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and alcian blue staining was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological examinations showed that minithyrotomy vocal fold augmentation postoperatively restored vocal fold bulkiness and maintained volume for up to 6 months, compared with the cordotomy group (P<0.05). In light of the surgical manipulation, the procedure also did not aggravate scarring of the cordectomized vocal fold.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minithyrotomy vocal fold augmentation using an autologous fat block may soon be feasible in humans undergoing rehabilitation for postcordotomy dysphonia without causing additional damage to the vocal folds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyuck Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hee Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun Chang
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000423:Alcian Blue; D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005260:Female; D006416:Hematoxylin; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D011817:Rabbits; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000637:transplantation*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000423:Alcian Blue; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin