Abstract: Rostral laryngeal advancement, also known as laryngeal tie-forward, is used to treat horses for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate and has a morbidity rate of about 6%. We hypothesized that a novel laryngeal clamp would prevent morbidity associated with the sutures tearing through the thyroid cartilage. Larynges (n = 35 horses) were used for ex vivo testing. For uniaxial testing, 15 equine larynges were tested in one of three laryngeal tie-forward constructs [standard laryngeal tie-forward; modified laryngeal tie-forward using a suture-button; and modified laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp]. For biaxial testing, 20 larynges were tested in one of two treatment groups: laryngeal tie-forward and laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp. Constructs were tested in single cycle-to-failure. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA for uniaxial testing and t-tests for biaxial testing. The laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp construct was superior to laryngeal tie-forward and laryngeal tie-forward using a suture-button constructs in resistance to pullout in uniaxial testing. The laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp presented a significantly different method of failure than the standard laryngeal tie-forward in the biaxial testing. Failure modes for each construct were primarily by suture failure at the clamp (laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp), suture pullout through the thyroid cartilage, or, less commonly, tearing of the cricothyroid ligament (laryngeal tie-forward). In uniaxial testing, the laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp failed most commonly due to tearing of the cricothyroid ligament, whereas the standard laryngeal tie-forward and the laryngeal tie-forward using a suture-button failed due to the tearing of the cartilage. The laryngeal clamps provided greater stiffness, load at yield, and tensile stress at yield than did the standard construct. Laryngeal clamps may offer an alternative to standard methods of anchoring the thyroid cartilage when performing the laryngeal tie-forward procedure. Further testing and clinical trials are needed to elucidate the utility of the laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp.
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study tests a novel laryngeal clamp designed to prevent surgical complications in horses undergoing a laryngeal tie-forward procedure. The clamp was found to be superior to standard suturing methods in resisting pullout and was associated with lower rates of failure due to tearing of the thyroid cartilage or cricothyroid ligament.
Study Design and Hypothesis
The researchers conducted ex-vivo tests using horse larynges to ascertain the efficacy of a novel laryngeal clamp in preventing morbidity resulting from sutures tearing through the thyroid cartilage in a laryngeal tie-forward surgery. This is a procedure used to treat a horse’s condition marked by the intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Test Methodology
A total of 35 horse larynges were used in this study. Uniaxial testing was conducted on 15 larynges, which were divided into three groups, each subject to a different laryngeal tie-forward construct – standard, suture-button, and laryngeal clamp.
Another 20 larynges were used for biaxial testing, divided into two treatment groups – standard laryngeal tie-forward and laryngeal tie-forward using a laryngeal clamp. The performance of these different constructs was observed in a single cycle-to-failure test.
Results Analysis
The data gathered was analysed using statistical tools such as ANOVA for uniaxial testing and t-tests for biaxial testing.
Results showed that the laryngeal clamp construct was far more resistant to pullout in uniaxial testing than both the standard and the suture-button constructs.
During biaxial testing, the clamp construct failed in a significantly different manner than the standard construct. It was mostly the suture at the clamp that failed, as opposed to the suture pulling out through the thyroid cartilage or tearing of the cricothyroid ligament (as observed in a standard construct).
Moreover, the laryngeal clamp displayed greater stiffness, load at yield, and tensile stress at yield when compared to the standard construct. This suggested that laryngeal clamps could provide a more effective alternative to standard suturing methods in anchoring the thyroid cartilage in laryngeal tie-forward surgeries.
However, the authors warned that further testing and clinical trials are still needed to ascertain definitively the utility and benefits of using a laryngeal clamp in this procedure.
Cite This Article
APA
Grzeskowiak RM, Schumacher J, Mulon PY, Steiner RC, Cassone L, Anderson DE.
(2020).
Ex-vivo Mechanical Testing of Novel Laryngeal Clamps Used for Laryngeal Advancement Constructs.
Front Vet Sci, 7, 139.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00139
Dart AJ, Dowling BA, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ. Evaluation of high-speed treadmill video endoscopy for diagnosis of upper respiratory tract dysfunction in horses. Aust Vet J (2001) 79:109–12.
Tan RH, Dowling BA, Dart AJ. High-speed treadmill video endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract in the horse: the results of 291 clinical cases. Vet J (2005) 170:243–8.
Cheetham J. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate: pathophysiology and new diagnostic techniques. In: Hawkins J. editor. Advances in Equine Upper Respiratory Surgery. 1st ed. Indianapolis, IN: John Wiley & Sons; (2015). p. 89–95.
Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Woodie JB. The investigation into the role of the thyrohyoid muscles in the pathogenesis of dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Equine Vet J (2003) 35:258–63.
Woodie JB, Ducharme NG, Kanter P, Hackett RP, Erb NH. Surgical advancement of the larynx (laryngeal tie-forward) as a treatment for the dorsal displacement of the soft palate in horses: a prospective study 2001-2004. Equine Vet J (2005) 37:418–23.
Holcombe SJ, Derksen FJ, Stick JA. Bilateral nerve blockade of the pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve produces persistent soft palate dysfunction in horses. Am J Vet Res (1998) 59:504–8.
Duncan DW. Retrospective study of 50 Thoroughbred racehorses subjected to radical myectomy surgery for treatment of displacement of the soft palate. Proc Am Assoc Equine Pract (1997) 43:237–8.
Llewellyn HR, Petrowitz AB. Sternothyroideus myotomy for the treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Proc Am Assoc Equine Pract (1997) 43:239–43.
Ducharme NG. Update on the laryngeal tie-forward operation. In: Proceedings of the Equine Upper Airway Symposium. Lexington, KY: Rood and Riddle Foundation; (2013). p. 1–3.
Rossignol F, Ouachee E, Boening KJ. A modified laryngeal Tie-forward procedure using metallic implants for the treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Vet Surg (2012) 41:685–8.
Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro S, Horn GP. Biomechanical evaluation of modified laryngoplasty by use of a toggle technique for stabilization of arytenoid cartilage in specimens obtained from equine cadavers. Am J Vet Res (2018) 79:226–32.
Changoor A, Fereydoonzad L, Yaroshinsky A, Bushmann MD. Effects of refrigeration and freezing on the electromechanical and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage. J Biomech Eng (2010) 132:1–6.
Wuest DM, Meyer DC, Favre P, Gerber C. Mechanical and handling properties of braided polyblend polyethylene sutures in comparison to braided polyester and monofilament polydioxanone sutures. Arthroscopy (2006) 22:1146–53.
Grzeskowiak RM, Schumacher J, Dhar MS, Harper DP, Mulon PY, Anderson DE. Bone and Cartilage Interfaces With Orthopedic Implants: A Literature Review. Front Surg 2020;7:601244.
Grzeskowiak RM, Freeman LR, Harper DP, Anderson DE, Mulon PY. Effect of cyclic loading on the stability of screws placed in the locking plates used to bridge segmental bone defects. J Orthop Res 2021 Mar;39(3):516-524.