Sixty-four human larynges ranging in age between 70 and 104 years were investigated histologically. The results were incorporated into our previous data for younger age groups. Discussion was focused on the mucosa around the vocal fold edge. The following tendencies were observed with ageing: (1) the membranous vocal fold shortens in males; (2) the mucosa thickens in females; (3) the cover of the vocal fold thickens in females; (4) edema develops in the superficial layer of the lamina propria in both sexes; (5) the intermediate layer of the lamina propria thins and its contour becomes deteriorated in males; (6) elastic fibers in the intermediate layer become less dense and atrophy in males; (7) the deep layer of the lamina propria thickens in males; (8) collagenous fibers in the deep layer become denser and fibrotic in males. The degree of these geriatric changes vary from individual to individual.
Hydroxylapatite plates and rings were employed for reconstruction of the laryngotracheal framework in 12 patients. The cause of the framework defect was surgery for stenosis in nine cases and removal of malignancy in the other three. The trough method associated with a two-stage procedure was tolerated in all 12 cases. Hydroxylapatite plates or rings were used to reconstruct the framework during the second stage. The implant was well taken in all cases, without any infection or rejection. Nine of the 12 cases resulted in excellent airways.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.