Functional reinnervation of the larynx. Experimental study
Manac'h, Y.; Narcy, P.; Gandon, J.; Morice, P.; Cornec, C.
Annales d'Oto-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie Cervico Faciale Bulletin de la Societe d'Oto-Laryngologie des Hopitaux de Paris 96(12): 889-894
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-438X PMID: 533093 Document Number: 152976
This study of reinnervation of the larynx results from the research for a functional method of treatment for laryngeal paralysis of peripheral origin. The physiological reality of reinnervation of a denervated muscle by a nerve other than that anatomically destined for it, or "neurotisation", is now an established fact. This experimental study in 12 dogs consisted of neurotisation of a posterior crico-thyroid muscle, denervated by section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, by implantation of a graft of sub-hyoid muscle with a nerve pedicle. Only one positive result at six months was seen. 8 failures could be explained by the absence of ventilatory difficulty necessary for the sub-hyoid muscles to be brought into action, and the other 3 failures two months after the operation by muscular fibrosis of the graft before neurotisation could occur. Physiology and the experience of other teams justify the continuation of this study.