Effects of Superomedial Partial Arytenoidectomy on Incomplete Posterior Glottal Closure Caused by Arytenoid Positional Asymmetry in Excised Human Larynges

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the effects that arytenoid positional asymmetry has on posterior glottic closure and to determine whether superomedial partial arytenoidectomy (SPA) can provide a benefit in cases of such asymmetry. Methods: In this experimental study, we evaluated posterior glottic closure in 10 larynges freshly excised from human cadavers, measuring the distance between the vocal processes before and after artificially simulated positional asymmetry of the arytenoid cartilages. We then performed SPA, after which we again measured the distance between the vocal processes. Results: In all of the larynges studied, the posterior glottic closure went from complete to incomplete after simulation of arytenoid positional asymmetry, the median distance observed between the vocal processes being 1.74mm (interquartile range 0.22). The SPA performed after arytenoid asymmetry caused the posterior glottic closure to return from incomplete to complete in all of the larynges studied. Conclusion: Our results suggest that arytenoid positional asymmetry impairs posterior glottic closure and that SPA improves posterior glottic closure in such cases of arytenoid asymmetry. © 2021 The Voice Foundation