Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Feb 1989
Overcoming laryngospasm by electrical stimulation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.
The intent of this study was to demonstrate that the technique of transmucosal electrical stimulation of laryngeal muscles may be of clinical use in airway management. Specifically, its ability to overcome laryngospasm was evaluated. Laryngospasm was induced in eight tracheotomized dogs by hyperventilating each dog, and then applying 0.1 M ammonia to the laryngeal mucosa while administering continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). ⋯ Upon transmucosal application of 10 mAmp current to the PCA bilaterally, the vocal cords abducted for the duration of the stimulus. We theorize that overcoming laryngospasm by electrostimulation involves a reflexive inhibition of the laryngeal adductors. This study provides an objective model for laryngospasm, and demonstrates that electrical manipulation of the vocal cords may have clinical relevance.
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Indirect mirror laryngoscopy is difficult to learn. An anatomic model of the oropharynx and larynx is described here. This model is used to familiarize medical students with the component skills of mirror laryngoscopy. The students progress to competency at mirror laryngoscopy on patients more quickly after initial use of this model.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jan 1988
Emergency endotracheal intubation under fiberoptic endoscopic guidance for malignant laryngeal obstruction.
Endotracheal intubation under fiberoptic flexible scope guidance is an easy technique to master and can be performed under local anesthesia. It provides immediate and safe intubation of malignant obstructive lesions of the larynx and allows surgical resection and reconstruction to be carried out as an emergency procedure. Ten patients with malignant obstructive lesion of the larynx were intubated and managed successfully in this manner. Refinements of intubation techniques under fiberoptic endoscopic guidance were described.