Long-term histological outcomes of injected autologous fat into human vocal folds after secondary laryngectomy

Objective

To histologically evaluate the long-term outcomes of autologous fat grafts after injection laryngoplasty in the human larynx.

Study design and setting

We injected liposuctioned fat for vocal fold augmentation in patients with vocal fold paralysis. We suctioned autologous fat from the low abdomen with an 18-G disposable needle and a 20-mL disposable syringe under negative pressure. This is different from the conventional liposuction technique and avoids the use of special equipment. In this article, we report the histological evaluation of 2 patients (patient 1: 12 months, patient 2: 41 months) who required total laryngectomy after autologous fat injection into the vocal folds.

Results

Histological examination revealed normal-appearing viable adipocytes with minimal inflammatory response in both patients.

Conclusions

Our liposuctioned autologous fat injection histologically offered long-term improvement in patients with impaired glottal closure from vocal fold paralysis.

a Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka General Medical Center

b Osaka Voice Center, Osaka Kaisei Hospital

c Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, NTT West Osaka Hospital

d Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka National Hospital

e Department of Otolaryngology and Sensory Organ Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

f Department of Otolaryngology and Sensory Organ Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

g Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Senbai Hospital

Reprint requests: Hisanori Sasai, MD, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka General Medical Center, 3-1-56 Mandaihigashi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, Japan, 558-8558

PII: S0194-5998(05)00021-5

doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2005.01.005

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