Optimal tension, position, and number of prostheses required for maximum rima glottidis area after laryngoplasty.

This study determines the optimal tension, position, and number of laryngeal prostheses needed for the maximum opening of the rima glottidis (the opening between the vocal cords) in horses. The findings indicate that the use of two or three prostheses tied at a fixed load of 15 Newtons provides the optimal cross-sectional area of the rima glottidis, regardless of the prosthesis’s anatomical location.

Research Design and Methodology

• The study employed an experimental randomized design and used 22 cadaveric equine larynges for the tests.
• Three laryngeal prostheses were pre-placed in 14 of these larynges. The rima glottidis area was measured after loading each suture in 5 Newton increments, ranging between 0 and 35 Newtons.
• In the remaining 8 larynges, the three pre-placed prostheses were tied individually or in combination at a fixed load of 15 Newtons. The rima glottidis area was again measured after this procedure.

Key Findings

• The study found that the rima glottidis cross-sectional area increased as the load on each prosthesis was raised, with the maximum area achieved at a load of 20 Newtons for each prosthesis.
• At a fixed load of 15 Newtons, tying two or three prostheses together resulted in a larger rima glottidis cross-sectional area compared to the area achieved with each prosthesis individually.

Conclusions

• The research concludes that combining two or three prostheses at a fixed load of 15 Newtons optimizes the cross-sectional area of the rima glottidis. This finding remains consistent irrespective of the anatomical location of the prosthesis.
• This study’s findings could prove significant in veterinary practices dealing with laryngeal procedures involving the rima glottidis area in horses.