Fat Augmentation for Glottic Insufficiency

Abstract

Autogenous fat augmentation for glottic insufficiency has commonly been administered in patients with vocal fold paralysis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of autologous fat injection for cases of deficiency of glottal closure such as sulcus vocalis, laryngeal trauma and postoperative scarring.
Fat injection was performed on 4 cases of sulcus vocalis and 3 cases of postoperative scarring with laryngeal trauma. Phonatory function and videolaryngostroboscopic data were evaluated before and after the augmentation.
After the operation, improvement in wave motion during phonation was observed. Also, in many cases, maximum phonation time was extended. Even in cases where phonation time was not extended, ease of phonation was subjectively recognized.
The results of the study suggest that autogenous fat injection may be effective for rehabilitation of glottal closure deficiencies such as sulcus vocalis. However, in some cases with postoperative scarring, effectiveness after injection was not satisfactory. In addition to the injection, consideration should be given to correction of the mucous membrane. Regarding the duration of efficacy after injection, further study is necessary to permit more careful observation.