Glutaraldehyde-Preserved and Lyophilised Bovine Pericardium as Materials for Medialization of the Vocal Folds in an Animal Model

Abstract Introduction Glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium (GBP) and lyophilised GBP (LGBP) have been used successfully in repairing several anatomical defects, but their effectiveness and safety as implants to vocal cords (VC) have not been reported. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of GBP and LGBP as materials for medialization thyroplasty, as well as to assess the endoscopic, macroscopic and microscopic VC changes after medialization in an experimental canine model. Material and methods In 12 healthy mongrel dogs, the right VC were medialized using pericardium and the left with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Group 1 (n=6): GBP and Group 2 (n=6): LGBP. The surgical manoeuvrability of the implants was compared. The animals were evaluated clinically and endoscopically. Three months after surgery, the larynges were assessed macro- and microscopically. Results Both GBP and LGBP implants showed better surgical manoeuvrability (Kruskal–Wallis, P =.005). Endoscopic and macroscopic studies showed no evidence of granulomas, absorption or extrusion of the implant. At the end of the study, greater thickness was observed in VC implanted with PTFE. Microscopically, all the VC developed fibrous capsules surrounding the implants and similar chronic inflammation reaction. The VC implanted with PTFE presented eosinophilic infiltration (Kruskal–Wallis, P Conclusion Both GBP and LGBP can be used as implants for VC medialization because they are biocompatible, have easy surgical manoeuvrability, do not suffer absorption, migration or extrusion and produce inflammation reactions similar to those of PTFE.