Enhancing prosthesis stability at the cricoid cartilage in equine laryngoplasty using 3-D-printed laryngeal clamps: An ex vivo model study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess a three-dimensional (3-D)-printed laryngeal clamp (LC) designed to enhance the anchoring of laryngeal prostheses at the cricoid cartilage.

STUDY DESIGN

Ex vivo biomechanical study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

A total of 22 equine larynges.

METHODS

Two experimental groups included larynges with standard prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL; n = 10) and larynges with prosthetic laryngoplasty modified with laryngeal clamps (PLLC; n = 10). All constructs underwent 3000 cycles of tension loading and a single tension to failure. Recorded biomechanical parameters included maximum load, actuator displacement, and construct failure. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on one PL and one PLLC construct.

RESULTS

The maximum load at single tension to failure was 183.7 ± 46.8 N for the PL construct and 292.7 ± 82.3 N for the PLLC construct (p = .003). Actuator displacement at 30 N was 1.7 ± 0.5 mm and 2.7 ± 0.7 mm for the PL and PLLC constructs, respectively (p = .011). The cause of PL constructs failure was mostly tearing through the cartilage whereas the PLLC constructs failed through fracture of the cricoid cartilage (p = .000). FEA revealed an 11-fold reduction in the maximum equivalent plastic strain, a four-fold reduction in maximum compressive stress, and a two-fold increase in the volume of engaged cartilage in PLLC constructs.

CONCLUSION

The PLLC constructs demonstrated superior performance in biomechanical testing and FEA compared to standard PL constructs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The use of 3-D-printed laryngeal clamps may enhance the outcomes of laryngoplasty in horses. In vivo studies are necessary to determine the feasibility of performing laryngoplasty using the laryngeal clamp in horses.