Analysis of vocal fold function in the miniswine model

Correlation of the vocal fold vibratory pattern with the postoperative surgical wound should demonstrate to the laryngologist the critical depth of injury at which the functional voice would be adversely affected. An animal model was selected to study these changes. Twelve adult miniswine were operated on in this prospective study. The right true vocal fold was surgically altered; the left true vocal fold was the control. An interval of 6 weeks was allowed for healing, and then changes in vocal fold function were studied by stroboscopy, photography, voice recording, and electroglottography. Laryngectomy provided tissue for histopathological correlation. The results showed that injury at the junction of the lamina propria and vocalis muscle consistently caused significant vibratory dysfunction resulting in poor phonation.