EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF LARYNGEAL CHON DROSYNTHESIS

The aim of this study was to develop and investigate techniques for st abilising and reconstruction of defects in the larynx similar to osteo synthesis. Material and methods: (1) 400 extrusion forces of sutures a nd various screws (Howmedica(R)) in thyroid cartilage of fresh cadaver s were measured. (2) A new screw specially designed for cartilage was developed. (3) A new technique for stabilising cartilage with a screw nut made out of bone was developed. Results: The extrusion forces corr elate with the calcification of the laryngeal skeleton depending on th e investigated area of the thyroid cartilage and the type of suture an d screws that are used, respectively. Besides the increased extrusion forces the advantages of chondrosynthesis are the possibility of axial stabilisation and of exact bridging of defects with or without implan ts.