title: In vitro mechanical testing of an alternate laryngoplasty system (ALPS) for horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mechanical evaluation of a novel alternate laryngoplasty system (ALPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric horse larynges (n = 10).
  
  
  METHODS
  Arytenoid and cricoid cartilages were embedded for testing. A novel laryngoplasty system consisting of a metallic anchor, 2 stands of #2 suture material, and a metallic button were evaluated. A traditional laryngoplasty using a single strand of #5 Ethibond was evaluated in parallel. Constructs were evaluated in cyclic testing oscillating from 30 to 50 N for 3600 cycles. Constructs subsequently underwent a single cycle to failure. Distraction during cyclic testing was recorded. Load at failure and stiffness were calculated from single-cycle failure testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in mean arytenoid single-cycle load-to-failure for the Ethibond (206.9 ± 13.1 N) constructs compared with ALPS (220.6 ±17.1 N) constructs (P = .486). In the cricoid under single-cycle testing, the ALPS (236.0 ± 23.4 N) constructs were significantly stronger than the Ethibond (161.5 ± 12.2 N) constructs (P = .013). The combined distraction was significantly greater for Ethibond (6.29 ± 1.24 mm) constructs compared to the ALPS (3.43 ± 0.28 mm) constructs (P = .033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALPS construct was stiffer and at least as strong as the traditional laryngoplasty construct in single cycle failure in both the arytenoid and cricoid cartilages. Combined distraction was significantly reduced using the ALPS compared to the traditional laryngoplasty in vitro under cyclic testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA, USA. ahernvet@gmail.com
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Boston
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Parente
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary