The effects of chronic electrical stimulation on laryngeal muscle physiology and histochemistry

The present study examined the effects of functional neuromuscular stimulat ion (FNS) on posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle physiology and histochem istry. In 4 canines, 10 cm of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was resected, A patch electrode array was implanted for PCA stimulation, FNS was applied t o 2 canines for a period of 4 weeks with 2 additional animals serving as no nstimulated controls. Results indicated that FNS increased PCA muscle contr actility over the period of intervention but had no effect on contraction s peed. FNS also protected the muscle from atrophy by preventing muscle weigh t loss and type 2 fiber deterioration. Finally, it rescued muscle fibers fr om ensuing fibrosis, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.