A study was conducted on the effect of deepithelization of the true vocal cords; microcup forceps were used, as opposed to CO2 laser ablation. A CO2 laser, coupled to an operating microscope, was used to ablate the surface epithelium of the right true vocal cords in eight canines, while conventional microlaryngeal stripping was performed on the left true cords in the same animals. Photographs were taken immediately after injury and again before the animals were killed. Histologically, the series of true vocal cords ablated by the CO2 laser revealed granulation formation at day 5, whereas those treated with conventional stripping developed granulation at day 3, thus indicating delayed healing. Charred carbonaceous debris of CO2 laser ablation was found to cause a giant cell reaction that persisted after reepithelization. Despite the precise control offered by the laser, many of the laser-injured true vocal cords revealed vocalis muscle edema and muscle destruction. After healing occurred, dense fibrosis was found in the vocal muscle injured during CO2 laser ablation of the overlying squamous epithelium.
There has been widespread use of periodic dilatations in the management of subglottic stenosis. However, some authorities have questioned the value in the overall rehabilitation of patients affected by this disorder. The first phase of this study included fourteen large dogs in which acute subglottic lesions were created by use of a high-speed electric drill and electrocautery. Twelve animals served as the experimental group and two animals were controls. Obstructing lesions developed in all the animals within 7 to 21 days. When at least a 50% obstruction developed in an animal, a treatment plan was instituted that included at least weekly dilatation, removal of granulations, and administration of intralesional steroids and/or systemic steroids and antibiotics. The two control animals became totally obstructed and were killed. Varying degrees of subglottic stenosis developed in all twelve experimental animals after 8 weeks of dilatation, but none required a tracheotomy. These twelve animals were then subjected to 8 additional weeks of dilatation and antibiotics, and supplemental steroids were used in some animals from this study. It can be concluded that early periodic dilatation and granulation removal in the acutely injured subglottis is effective in prevention of severe stenosis, late periodic dilatations in chronic subglottic stenosis are not helpful in further alleviation of obstruction, the concomitant use of antibiotics and systemic steroids did not appreciably prevent or alter the development of subglottic stenosis, and the concomitant use of intralesional steroids appeared to be of benefit in the management of chronic acquired subglottic stenosis.
The diagnostic criteria and therapeutic regimens for upper airway necrotizing diseases such as Wegener's granulomatosis, polymorphic reticulosis, and the recently described idiopathic midline destructive disease have been better defined and clarified in the past decades. Despite an improved understanding of the various disease processes, there continues to be difficulty in establishing an early diagnosis before proceeding with prompt treatment to minimize loss of function and cosmetic deformity. To achieve these goals, we have expanded the indications for the use of the cytotoxic drug, cyclophosphamide, in those patients whose clinical and histologic presentations are suggestive of Wegener's granulomatosis, but in whom a specific diagnosis has not been confirmed by biopsy specimen. We have seen ten patients with upper airway lesions of a chronic inflammatory nature over the past six years at the Medical College of Wisconsin affiliated hospitals. Only three of these have had a definitive histopathologic diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis made prior to the initiation of cytotoxic therapy. Six have undergone treatment under our expanded criteria without a prior definitive diagnosis. Five of these have had arrest of the disease process, and one has had no response to therapy. One patient was not treated. There have been no serious side-effects from cyclophosphamide therapy in these patients.
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