Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
Ex vivo ovine model for suspension microlaryngoscopy training
G Isaacson1, D C Ianacone1, A M S Soliman1
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Lewis Katz School of Medicine,Temple University,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,USA.
Objective:
To develop an ovine model for teaching suspension laryngoscopy and phonosurgery.
Methods:
The head and neck from 10 pre-pubescent sheep were harvested following humane euthanasia at the end of an in vivo protocol. No live animals were used in this study. The tissues were saline-perfused and refrigerated for 1-5 days. Suspension laryngoscopy was performed using adolescent Parsons and adult Kantor-Berci laryngoscopes suspended with a Benjamin-Parsons laryngoscope holder. Visualisation was achieved with 0° and 30° telescopes, and a three-chip camera and video system. Shapshay-Ossoff microlaryngeal instruments were used for endolaryngeal dissection.
Results:
Experienced laryngologists led a second year medical student through several procedures including injection laryngoplasty, hydrodissection and incision, endolaryngeal suturing, and partial cordectomy. Despite expected anatomical differences, the model proved highly realistic for suspension microlaryngoscopy.
Conclusion:
The sheep head and neck model provides an inexpensive, safe model for developing skills in suspension laryngoscopy and basic phonosurgery.
