Variations in Practices and Preferences of Vocal Fold Injection Materials: A National Survey

Vocal fold injection augmentation (VFI) is a common procedure for the treatment of glottic insufficiency. Material options for VFI and decisions regarding material selection are not standardized and often based on clinician preference.

This study aims to understand the variations in provider preference and utilization of injectable materials for VFI.

A 40-question survey was sent to 158 academic laryngologists. Questions pertained to the type of injectable materials used including brand preferences and rationale for preferences.

Ninety-seven of the 158 laryngologists contacted participated in the survey (61.4%). The most frequently used injectable materials were Hyaluronic Acid (HA)-based products. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based products were preferred for trial augmentation (57.2%), HA-based products were preferred for acute/subacute vocal fold paralysis, presbyphonia, and sulcus/scar (54.2%, 61.5%, 44.7%, 41.7% respectively), and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA)-based products were preferred for long-term paralysis (28.1%). CMC-based products were discontinued by 21.8% of participants, largely due to quick material resorption. 17.8% of participants discontinued HA-based products largely due to adverse events and 26.0% abandoned CaHA-based products mostly due to inflammatory properties causing vocal fold stiffness and material unpredictability. Over 30% of respondents reported wanting to reinitiate micronized alloderm Cymetra® as an available injectable.

Our survey demonstrated that there are significant variations in practice and preferences in regard to injectable material selection for VFI. As there is limited data on the direct material comparison, understanding the rationale behind these variations is crucial to guide new providers in material selection and provide information to patients undergoing these procedures.

5 Laryngoscope, 133:1176-1183, 2023.