title: Nonstimulated rabbit phonation model: Cricothyroid approximation.
abstract: To describe a nonstimulated in vivo rabbit phonation model using an Isshiki type IV thyroplasty and uninterrupted humidified glottal airflow to produce sustained audible phonation.
  
  
  
  Prospective animal study.
  
  
  
  Six New Zealand white breeder rabbits underwent a surgical procedure involving an Isshiki type IV thyroplasty and continuous airflow delivered to the glottis. Phonatory parameters were examined using high-speed laryngeal imaging and acoustic and aerodynamic analysis. Following the procedure, airflow was discontinued, and sutures remained in place to maintain the phonatory glottal configuration for microimaging using a 9.4 Tesla imaging system.
  
  
  
  High-speed laryngeal imaging revealed sustained vocal fold oscillation throughout the experimental procedure. Analysis of acoustic signals revealed a mean vocal intensity of 61 dB and fundamental frequency of 590 Hz. Aerodynamic analysis revealed a mean airflow rate of 85.91 mL/s and subglottal pressure of 9 cm H2 O. Following the procedure, microimaging revealed that the in vivo phonatory glottal configuration was maintained, providing consistency between the experimental and postexperimental laryngeal geometry. The latter provides a significant milestone that is necessary for geometric reconstruction and to allow for validation of computational simulations against the in vivo rabbit preparation.
  
  
  
  We demonstrate a nonstimulated in vivo phonation preparation using an Isshiki type IV thyroplasty and continuous humidified glottal airflow in a rabbit animal model. This preparation elicits sustained vocal fold vibration and phonatory measures that are consistent with our laboratory's prior work using direct neuromuscular stimulation for evoked phonation.
  
  
  
  N/A. Laryngoscope, 126:1589-1594, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Carolyn K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Novaleski
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Siyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Haoxiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Carla V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
authors.affiliation: Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.|Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rousseau
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005931:Glottis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D014732:Vibration; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Rabbit model; phonation; vocal fold