Determination of vocal fold mucosal wave velocity in an in vivo canine model

The vocal fold traveling wave is essential to normal voice production. The present investigation examined whether the velocity of the traveling wave (TWV) could be consistently determined in an in vivo canine model and if traveling wave velocity is affected by changes in the amplitude of recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation (RLNS) and superior laryngeal nerve stimulation (SLNS). The results showed that traveling wave velocity increased with an increase in recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation at low constant superior laryngeal nerve stimulation, but was poorly correlated with increases in recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation at a high level of superior laryngeal nerve stimulation. Furthermore, traveling wave velocity was significantly correlated with superior laryngeal nerve stimulation at constant recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation. This study demonstrated the feasibility of objectively measuring traveling wave velocity in vivo.