Article
Range of electrical stimulation parameters in patients with Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis (BVCP) before and after receiving the Laryngeal Pacemaker
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | April 14, 2014 |
---|
Outline
Text
Introduction: BVCP patients were screened for acute electrically evoked vocal cord abduction. Nine patients were implanted with the Laryngeal Pacemaker within the first-in-human study. The characteristics of the stimulation parameters for a sufficient abduction of the treated vocal cord were evaluated for 6 months upon the activation of the device.
Methods: Screening of patients was performed under general anesthesia either via transoral approach with a flexible stimulation catheter or by transcricoidal method with a stimulation needle. Upon successful abduction of a vocal cord, the patients were implanted unilaterally with the Laryngeal Pacemaker. The response of the treated vocal cord to the stimulation was video-documented.
Results: In all the study patients, at least one vocal cord was able to be stimulated during the screening session. In all the patients participating in the 6-month follow-up program, the treated vocal cord regained abduction in response to the stimulation via the Laryngeal Pacemaker.
Conclusions: The newly developed laryngeal pacemaker is a promising tool to restore respiration in patients suffering from BVCP. The necessary current levels for stimulation of a sufficient abduction do not cause any discomfort to the patients.
Unterstützt durch: Medel Company
Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an.