[Reinnervation of the larynx in an experiment]

In an experiment on five dogs the authors investigated the topographic anatomical relations of the laryngeal recurrent nerve, the vagus, the phrenic nerve and ansa cervicalis. They elaborated a surgical approach to the above nerves. In nine dogs the authors dissected the n. laryngeus recurrens and made anastomoses: an end-to-end anastomosis in three dogs, a bypass anastomosis of the distal stump of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with a separated portion of the trunk of the vagus in two dogs, an end-to-end anastomosis of the distal stump of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the dissected central portion of the phrenic nerve in four dogs (in one also interposition of the nerve trunk from a small branch of the ansa cervicalis was made). Reaxonization was investigated by histological examination. Satisfactory functional results were achieved after anastomosis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the phrenic nerve. Less satisfactory results were obtained when a portion of the vagus was used and subsequent anastomosis of the distal stump of the recurrent laryngeal nerve nad finally after end-to-end anastomosis of the previously dissected recurrent laryngeal nerve.