A canine model for studying laryngospasm and its prevention

Laryngospasm, if prolonged, can result in serious sequelae due to the lack of a uniformly effective treatment. Prevention, therefore, through pharmacologic intervention, is an attractive concept. In order to study the effects of various drugs in preventing laryngospasm, a reliable animal model capable of producing sequential, repetitive episodes of laryngospasm is necessary. In this study, the canine model of laryngospasm previously described by Aviv, et al. was modified to overcome technical factors which limited its use in this regard. Details of the technique and the results from eight animals will be presented. Results in two animals with the use of prophylactic topical lidocaine will also be discussed. The reliability and reproducibility of this model make it ideal for the study of laryngospasm and open the way for investigation into its prevention.