Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
11:11
Construction and Characterization of a Novel Vocal Fold Bioreactor
Published on: August 1, 2014
Recovery of vibratory function after vocal fold microflap in a rabbit model
Tsuyoshi Kojima1, Joshua R Mitchell, C Gaelyn Garrett
1Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|August 1, 2013
Summary
Vocal fold microflap surgery initially impairs vibratory function but shows significant recovery of amplitude and symmetry by days 3-7 post-operation. This recovery aligns with the resolution of the inflammatory phase in vocal fold wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Laryngology
- Vocal fold biomechanics
- Surgical recovery
Background:
- Vocal fold microflap surgery is used to treat various laryngeal conditions.
- Understanding the recovery of vibratory function post-surgery is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the return of vibratory function after vocal fold microflap surgery.
- To assess the restoration of vibration amplitude and symmetry.
Main Methods:
- A prospective in vivo animal model using New Zealand white breeder rabbits.
- Microflap surgery performed on one vocal fold, with the contralateral fold as a control.
- High-speed laryngeal imaging (10,000 fps) to measure amplitude ratio and lateral phase difference on postoperative days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7.
Main Results:
- Immediate postoperative (day 0) showed reduced amplitude ratio and lateral phase difference, linked to body-cover layer separation.
- Significant improvement in amplitude ratio by day 3, with further increases on days 5 and 7.
- Lateral phase difference significantly improved by day 3 and normalized by days 5 and 7.
Conclusions:
- High-speed laryngeal imaging effectively tracked post-microflap vibratory function recovery.
- Vibratory function, including amplitude and symmetry, is restored between days 3 and 7.
- Recovery timing correlates with the end of the vocal fold wound repair inflammatory phase.
