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Updated: May 11, 2026
A Heterotopic Mouse Model for Studying Laryngeal Transplantation
Published on: January 13, 2023
Laryngeal lipotransfer: review of a 14-year experience
Rima A DeFatta1, Robert J DeFatta, Robert Thayer Sataloff
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, USA.
Objective:
To determine the efficacy of lipotransfer for treatment of various vocal fold (VF) pathologies.
Study Type:
Retrospective review.
Methods:
We reviewed retrospectively the indications for and techniques of laryngeal lipotransfer and its effect on glottic closure and mucosal wave. One hundred four patients treated with lipotransfer between 1997 and 2010 were screened for inclusion in this study. Fifteen patients were excluded. Strobovideolaryngoscopic examinations for the 89 included subjects were reviewed to determine the change in glottic closure and mucosal wave. The degree of improvement, if any, was graded as mild, moderate, or substantial. The population was divided into the following four groups for analysis: (1) single lateral lipoinjection, (2) combination of lipoinjection and thyroplasty, (3) multiple lipoinjections with or without other injection medialization procedures, and (4) lipoimplantation for treatment of VF scar.
Results:
Lipotransfer was used alone and as an adjunct procedure to treat glottic insufficiency (GI) secondary to VF motion abnormality or vibratory margin pathology. Augmentation was accomplished either by lateral injection or by medial implantation through an access tunnel. Most patients showed a statistically significant improvement in glottic closure because of lipoinjection and in mucosal wave because of lipoimplantation. Few minor and no serious complications occurred.
Conclusion:
Laryngeal lipotransfer is safe and effective for treatment of GI and VF scar.
