A Novel Intervention That Prevents Vocal Fold Scarring.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the preventive efficacy of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for vocal fold scar in a rabbit model.

STUDY DESIGN

Animal model.

METHODS

The study included 40 male New Zealand white rabbits: 20 received vocal fold scar surgery served as normal controls (control group). The other 20 received the same vocal fold scar surgery with SVF injection (SVF group) Histological and high-speed video analyses of vocal fold vibration were performed 4 weeks after scar surgery and SVF injection. The maximum amplitude of vocal fold vibration was used to assess vocal fold vibration. A real-time PCR study was also performed to evaluate the scar regeneration and remodeling including TGF-ß1, IL-6, procollagen-1, MMP-2, 9, and HAS-2, 3.

RESULTS

Vocal fold vibration analyses indicated that the maximum amplitude differences in the vibration of the SVF group were significantly higher than the control group. The histological findings showed that the collagen density ratio were significantly lower in the SVF group compared to the control group. Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) study showed significant increases of MMP-2, 9 and HAS-2, 3, and a decrease of TGF-ß1, IL-6, procollagen-1 in the SVF group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the vocal fold vibration study, histological findings, and real-time PCR study, SVF injection showed preventive activity and improvement of vocal fold vibration for vocal fold scar in a rabbit model.