In vitro comparison of 3 techniques of prosthesis attachment to the muscular process of the equine arytenoid cartilage.

The research investigates the effectiveness of three different techniques of prosthesis attachment to the muscular process of the equine arytenoid cartilage, finding that the use of the FASTak II suture anchor is the most efficient method.

Objective of the Research

• The study aimed to compare the degree and simplicity of arytenoid abduction achieved with three different techniques of prosthesis attachment to the equine arytenoid cartilage – the abaxial placement of a FASTak II suture anchor, a caudomedial to craniolateral suture, and a medial to lateral suture placement.

Methods

• The comparison was made using ex vivo experiments conducted on cadaveric larynges sourced from 10 Standardbred racehorses.
• Each larynx was instrumented with all three suture attachment methods in random order.
• The techniques performance was assessed by testing the abduction of the arytenoid cartilage at various increments from 0 to 25N and measuring the left to right quotient angle ratio (LRQ) recorded from digital pictures taken at each stage.

Results

• The results indicated that arytenoid abduction was at its highest with the FASTak II construct compared to the two suture patterns.
• The greatest difference was observed at the 5N increment, with approximately 50% less force required for achieving an LRQ of 1.0 with the FASTak II anchor as opposed to the other two techniques.
• No overall difference, however, was found between the two suture constructs during the entire experiment.

Conclusions

• The findings suggest that the utilization of the FASTak II suture anchor yields better results in arytenoid abduction compared to the two suture patterns, thereby decreasing the necessary suture loads required for maximal arytenoid abduction.
• Applying the FASTak II anchor may, thus, have potential in clinical cases too, as it can lessen the suture load placed on the laryngoplasty and consequently minimize the postoperative loss of arytenoid abduction, subsequently improving the overall outcome.