Development and validity of type II sulcus vocalis in excised canine larynx.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to develop a sulcus vocalis model in the excised canine larynx and to investigate the validity of the model.

METHODS

Type II sulcus vocalis was created by continuous intradermal suture in six excised canine larynges. We investigated the validity of the model based on phonatory (aerodynamic and acoustic) measures, laryngeal videostroboscopy (LVS), and histological examination. The aeroacoustic parameters included phonation threshold pressure (PTP), fundamental frequency (F o), jitter %, shimmer %, and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR).

RESULTS

In all the experimental specimens, there were significant increases in the PTP ([6.61 ± 1.66] cm H2O, p < 0.01), the F o ([106.48 ± 49.59] Hz, p = 0.003), the jitter ([0.76 ± 0.42]%, p = 0.007), the shimmer ([6.87 ± 2.99%, p = 0.002]), while the HNR decreased ([5.71 ± 4.68] dB, p = 0.031), compared to that of the untreated canine larynges. The estabilished model simulated the histology with type Ⅱ sulcus.

CONCLUSIONS

Type Ⅱ sulcus vocalis was successfully created in excised canine larynx. The aeroacoustic and LVS analysis of this model resembled the characteristics of patients with sulcus vocalis. The model could be helpful to elucidate the pathology of the phonation, and evaluate and compare the treatments for sulcus vocalis.