title: Magnetic Control of the Glottic Opening in an Ex Vivo Sheep Larynx Model: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  So far, a number of techniques have been described for the treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis. These techniques were reported to be successful in maintaining an adequate airway but also found to be associated with an increased risk of aspiration, dysphonia, and granulation tissue formation at the operation site. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a novel mucosa-sparing technique based on the generation of a magnetic field within the larynx for the tailored lateralization of the ipsilateral vocal fold.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an ex vivo experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty sheep larynges that were procured from the local slaughterhouse were used as a model. For each specimen, two neodymium (Nd) disc magnets with marked poles were used to create a unilateral attractive magnetic force at the glottic level. Following insertion of the magnets, the level of vocal fold lateralization was assessed under an operating microscope. The results were analyzed for their statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the procedure, the mean value of the glottic openings of all the specimens was 4.985 mm. The postprocedure mean value was 5.640 mm. The mean amount of increase in the glottic openings after the procedure was 0.655 mm. This change was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A statistically significant increase in the cross-sectional area of the glottic region could be achieved. The mucosal integrity of the laryngeal airway was also preserved. The idea of "magnetic control of the glottic airway" is a novel concept but seems to be a promising option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey. Electronic address: zaferciftci@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ciftci
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deniz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tekirdag State Hospital, Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Halide Gunes
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Ciftci
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Damla Nihan
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aklime
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isik
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdogan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gultekin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005931:Glottis / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D059346:Magnets; D023421:Models, Animal; D009354:Neodymium / Q000737:chemistry*; D010699:Phonation; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium
keywords: Bilateral vocal fold paralysis; Glottic airway; Magnetic abduction; Neodymium; Sheep larynx; Vocal fold abduction