Effects of suture tension and surgical approach during unilateral arytenoid lateralization on the rima glottidis in the canine larynx

Objectives-To evaluate the effect of abduction suture tension and cricothyroid (CT) joint disarticulation on the area, height, and width of the rima glottidis (RG) during unilateral arytenoid lateralization. Study Design-Experimental study. Animals-Nine canine cadaver larynges. Methods-Left arytenoid lateralization was performed with high or low abduction suture tension. RG area, height, and width were measured by computerized planimetric analysis with the epiglottis in an open and closed position. The experiment was performed with the CT joint intact and disarticulated. The effects of suture tension, CT disarticulation, and their interaction on RG area with the epiglottis closed or open were evaluated by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results-RG area increased by 82% and 129% (P < .0001) with low and high suture tension, respectively. The aperture not covered by the epiglottis in a closed position was 467% larger with high suture tension than with low tension (P < .0001). CT disarticulation had no significant effect on RG geometry with either low or high suture tension (P = .4970). Conclusions-Low suture tension increased RG area when the epiglottis was in an open position without increasing RG aperture when the epiglottis was closed. Suture tension had a significant effect on RG opening when the epiglottis was closed. CT disarticulation did not modify the geometry of the RG. Clinical Relevance-Use of a low-suture tension should be considered during arytenoid lateralization because it has the potential to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. (C) Copyright 2002 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.