Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
09:08
Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants
Published on: May 14, 2020
3.8K
Instrumentation Considerations for Calcified Thyroid Cartilage during Chondrolaryngoplasty.
Lily A Stevenson1, Phillip C Song1,2, Ramon A Franco1,2
1Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|September 23, 2024
Summary
Chondrolaryngoplasty success varies with cartilage calcification. Older patients and longer operative times are associated with the need for specialized tools beyond a scalpel for thyroid cartilage reduction.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Gender-Affirming Surgery
Background:
- Chondrolaryngoplasty (thyroid cartilage reduction) is a key procedure for alleviating gender dysphoria.
- Scalpel excision is common, but cartilage calcification necessitates alternative instruments like drills or rongeurs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the success rate of scalpel-only chondrolaryngoplasty.
- To determine the relationship between patient age, operative time, and the need for specialized instrumentation due to cartilage calcification.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 52 chondrolaryngoplasty cases (2020-2023).
- Instrumentation categorized as scalpel-only, rongeur, or drill, based on intraoperative findings of cartilage calcification.
- Analysis of patient demographics, operative duration, and instrumentation type.
Main Results:
- 57.7% of cases had soft cartilage managed with a scalpel only.
- 42.3% required rongeurs or drills due to calcification, with these patients being significantly older (41.3 vs 25.7 years).
- Procedures requiring rongeurs/drills were longer (78.5 vs 66.8 minutes).
Conclusions:
- Cartilage calcification is common in chondrolaryngoplasty, requiring preparedness for alternative instrumentation.
- Older patient age is a significant predictor for cartilage calcification.
- The use of rongeurs or drills due to calcification increases operative time.
