Biomechanical testing of three constructs for prosthetic laryngoplasty in horses demonstrates advantages of differing metallic implants in the arytenoid cartilage.
Abstract: To compare the biomechanical stability of a novel arytenoid implant (tie-bolt, TB) with a suture anchor (SA) and standard laryngoplasty using suture alone (control) in equine larynges. Methods: Randomized ex vivo controlled experimental study. Methods: Thirty equine cadaver larynges. Methods: Larynges were randomly assigned to TB, SA, or control groups (n = 10 each). The force of abduction was measured for each construct, then constructs underwent cyclic loading (5-50 N for 3000 cycles) to assess elongation, followed by load-to-failure testing to assess ultimate load, displacement, stiffness, and mode of failure. Results: The SA required less force to achieve 88% abduction (8.31 ± 2.46 N) than the TB (11.48 ± 3.6 N, p = .07) and controls (11.86 ± 2.99 N, p = .04). The TB had less construct elongation (2.62 ± 0.61 mm) than SA constructs (3.87 ± 1.25 mm, p = .01) and was stiffer (31.05 ± 3.38 N/mm) than both control (23.48 ± 2.06 N/mm, p < .0001) and SA constructs (18.53 ± 4.15 N/mm, p < .0001). The TB construct failed at higher ultimate load and displacement (367.25 ± 66.98 N and 19.11 ± 2.51 mm, respectively) than the control (238.14 ± 19.46 N and 14.23 ± 1.6 mm; p < .0001 for both) and SA constructs (196.55 ± 47.17 N and 16.23 ± 2.02 mm; p < .0001 and p = .01, respectively). The primary modes of failure were suture cut-through for control, implant pullout for SA, and arytenoid fracture for TB. Conclusions: The SA required the least force for abduction. The TB was a stiffer construct that resulted in higher failure loads. Conclusions: The SA may reduce construct loading during abduction. The TB offers superior mechanical stability, potentially reducing long-term degradation from cyclic loading.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2025-08-10 PubMed ID: 40785216DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14328Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on comparing the biomechanical stability and efficacy of a novel arytenoid cartilage implant, tie-bolt (TB), with a suture anchor (SA) and standard laryngoplasty using suture alone in horse larynges. The conducted tests reveal that while the SA requires the least force for abduction, the TB offers superior mechanical stability, potentially reducing long-term degradation from cyclic loading.
Methods
- The study is an ex vivo randomized controlled experimental research, testing on 30 horse cadaver larynges.
- The larynges were divided and randomly assigned into three groups: TB, SA, and control with 10 each.
- The force of abduction for each construct was then measured.
- Subsequently, the constructs underwent cyclic loading, where a force between 5-50 N was applied for 3000 cycles. This was done to evaluate elongation.
- Finally, a load-to-failure test was conducted to assess ultimate load, displacement, stiffness, and mode of failure.
Results
- The suture anchor (SA) required lower force for achieving 88% abduction than both the tie-bolt (TB) and the control group.
- In terms of construct elongation, TB had lower values than the SA constructs, indicating a better stability.
- The stiffness of the TB was found to be greater than both the control and SA constructs.
- The TB constructs endured higher ultimate loads and displacement compared to control and SA constructs, signifying superior handling of stress.
- The primary failing modes for the control, SA, and TB were suture cut-through, implant pullout, and arytenoid fracture, respectively.
Conclusions
- Despite the SA requiring the least force for abduction, the TB was a more mechanically stable and stiff construct that demonstrated higher failure loads.
- The suture anchor might reduce construct loading during abduction, enhancing performance efficiency.
- Ultimately, the TB implant exhibited greater mechanical stability, indicating a potential for less long-term degradation from cyclical loading.
Cite This Article
APA
Ysebaert MP, Johnson J, Marie U, Campos A, Verchrerin A, Ducharme NG, Rossignol F, Luedke LK.
(2025).
Biomechanical testing of three constructs for prosthetic laryngoplasty in horses demonstrates advantages of differing metallic implants in the arytenoid cartilage.
Vet Surg.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14328 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Colorado State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Colorado State University, Orthopaedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
- Clinique Vétérinaire equine de Grosbois, Marolles-en-Brie, France.
- Clinique Vétérinaire equine de Grosbois, Marolles-en-Brie, France.
- Clinique Vétérinaire equine de Grosbois, Marolles-en-Brie, France.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA.
- Clinique Vétérinaire equine de Grosbois, Marolles-en-Brie, France.
- Colorado State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Grant Funding
- Colorado State University College Research Council Colorado Racing Commission
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