Safety of percutaneous injection of bovine dermal crosslinked collagen for glottic insufficiency

An Update on the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Collagen Injectables for Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine Applications

Soft tissues diseases significantly affect patients quality of life and usually require targeted, costly and sometimes constant interventions. With the average lifetime increase, a proportional increase of age-related soft tissues diseases has been witnessed. Due to this, the last two decades have seen a tremendous demand for minimally invasive one-step resolutive procedures. Intensive scientific and industrial research has led to the recognition of injectable formulations as a new advantageous approach in the management of complex diseases that are challenging to treat with conventional strategies. Among them, collagen-based products are revealed to be one of the most promising among bioactive biomaterials-based formulations. Collagen is the most abundant structural protein of vertebrate connective tissues and, because of its structural and non-structural role, is one of the most widely used multifunctional biomaterials in the health-related sectors, including medical care and cosmetics. Indeed, collagen-based formulations are historically considered as the "gold standard" and from 1981 have been paving the way for the development of a new generation of fillers. A huge number of collagen-based injectable products have been approved worldwide for clinical use and have routinely been introduced in many clinical settings for both aesthetic and regenerative surgery. In this context, this review article aims to be an update on the clinical outcomes of approved collagen-based injectables for both aesthetic and regenerative medicine of the last 20 years with an in-depth focus on their safety and effectiveness for the treatment of diseases of the integumental, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and urogenital apparatus.

Long-term outcomes of basic fibroblast growth factor treatments in patients with vocal fold scarring, aged vocal fold, and sulcus vocalis

OBJECTIVE

Fibrotic changes in the vocal fold mucosa have been observed in patients with vocal fold scarring, aged vocal fold, and sulcus vocalis, which often lead to severe voice disorders. Previous research suggests that the basic fibroblast growth factor (b FGF) improves variations in vocal fold properties [1,2]. Although clinical studies on b FGF treatments have been conducted [3,4,5], these studies only demonstrated the efficacy of this drug over a short period. The present study is the first to investigate the long-term efficacy of b FGF treatment.

METHODS

b FGF injections were performed in six patients from January of 2016 to December of 2017 at our institution. Patient follow-up continued for at least two years after the last injection. Three patients had vocal fold scarring, two had aged vocal fold atrophy, and one patient had sulcus vocalis. Each vocal fold was injected with 10 µg of b FGF four times. Voice and stroboscopic examinations were performed after surgery (at one month, three months, six months, one year, two years). Fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time (MPT), mean flow rate (MFR), amplitude perturbation quotient (APQ), pitch perturbation quotient (PPQ), and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR), and voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) were examined and compared statistically between the pretreatment time and at each posttreatment time point.

RESULTS

The speaking F0 had an obvious decreasing tendency, with significant differences suggesting the increase in volume in the vocal folds. Aerodynamic parameters also showed small improvements. The most remarkable improvement was observed in the acoustic parameters, indicating that the treatment could improve the vocal fold to make vibrations symmetrically and regularly for a long period. Achievement of symmetry and regularity on vocal fold vibrations suggested the property changes had happened in the vocal folds. Consequently, the score of VHI-10 had improved, indicating high patient satisfaction with this treatment.

CONCLUSION

b FGF injections could be a reliable treatment option for diseases that deteriorate the property of vocal fold.

Surgical Rehabilitation of Voice and Swallowing after Jugular Foramen Surgery

Objectives

We sought to determine the patient population that will benefit from surgical rehabilitation of voice and swallowing after jugular foramen tumor (JFT) resection.

Methods

We performed a retrospective case study of patients with a history of JFT resection. The patients' files were reviewed for data on preoperative and postoperative function of cranial nerves VII and IX through XII, voice and swallowing function, and surgical procedures for voice and swallowing rehabilitation and their timing.

Results

Twenty-one patients underwent JFT resection. Thirty-eight percent presented with deficits of cranial nerves VII and IX through XII, and 61% developed new postoperative deficits. Three patients recovered glossopharyngeal nerve function, 2 recovered vagus nerve function, and 1 recovered facial nerve function. Surgical rehabilitation procedures were undertaken in 8 patients. Patients who eventually underwent surgical rehabilitation procedures for voice and swallowing tended to have larger tumors, tumors within the nerve bundle in the jugular foramen, and multiple nerve deficits.

Conclusions

Most patients with multiple deficits of cranial nerves VII and IX through XII after JFT resection are unlikely to regain spontaneous nerve function, will experience long-term dysphonia and dysphagia, and will elect to undergo corrective surgery to improve voice and swallowing. Preoperative evaluation and close postoperative follow-up can identify patients who would benefit from early surgical rehabilitation.

A comparative study of voice outcomes and complication rates in patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty performed under local versus general anaesthesia: an Adelaide voice specialist's experience

Objective:

To compare clinical outcomes and complication rates in patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty performed under local versus general anaesthesia.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent injection laryngoplasty performed by a single laryngologist in a tertiary Australian laryngology centre, between February 2013 and December 2014. Patient demographics, anaesthetic modality and complications were recorded. Voice Handicap Index 10 and the Grade, Breathiness, Roughness, Asthenia, Strain scale were evaluated.

Results:

Thirty-four laryngoplasties were performed under general anaesthesia and 41 under local anaesthesia, with mean patient ages of 59.5 and 68.8 years, respectively. Voice Handicap Index 10 scores were significantly improved post-injection (p< 0.001), with no significant difference between general anaesthesia and local anaesthesia (p> 0.05). All aspects of the Grade, Breathiness, Roughness, Asthenia, Strain scale showed significant improvement post-injection, except asthenia. There were seven (9.3 per cent) minor complications (five in the general anaesthesia group, two in the local anaesthesia group), all managed conservatively.

Conclusion:

Injection laryngoplasties performed under general anaesthesia and local anaesthesia offer similar voice outcomes, with comparable complication rates. Hence, development of a management algorithm for injection laryngoplasties performed under local anaesthesia is recommended.

Higher risk of superficial injection during injection laryngoplasty in women

PURPOSE

To review our clinical experience with percutaneous injection laryngoplasty at a single institution over a three-year period, and to specifically assess the rate of unintentional injection into the superficial lamina propria (SLP) and compare with results found in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent office-based injection laryngoplasty (OBIL) over a three-year period. Video documentation and the written notes of the procedures were reviewed to determine the rate of inadvertent placement of injectate into the SLP. A literature review was performed to identify other reports of this complication and contributing factors.

RESULTS

113 consecutive patients were identified who underwent OBIL in the study period. Of these, 100 patients had adequate records and follow-up available for this review. All patients underwent injection augmentation with bovine collagen using a percutaneous trans-membrane or trans-cartilaginous technique. 96 had improvement in their vocal quality and/or effort. Four patients, who were all women, had unintentional injection into the SLP with resultant no change in voice or worsened voice. All superficially placed injectates were managed conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection into the SLP is a well-recognized possible complication of OBIL. Our results suggest that this complication occurs more often in women than in men, perhaps due to differing laryngeal anatomy and size.

Office-based injection laryngoplasty for the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis

OBJECTIVE

Office-based injection laryngoplasty (OBIL) is a common method of addressing glottal insufficiency. This retrospective chart review identifies the demongraphics, laterality, technique, success rate, injectates, and complications of OBIL performed over a 3-year period at a single institution.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

All OBILs performed for the management of UVFP by the senior author over 3 years (2007-2009) were identified from billing records. The age, gender, laterality, underlying disease process, augmentation material, route of injection, and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Eighty-two OBILs were attempted on 57 patients. The most common route of access was transoral (85.6%). All OBILs were able to be completed. Injectates used were hyaluronic acid derivatives (57.3%), calcium hydroxyapatite (16%), and Cymmetra (16.5%). Three complications (3.7%) occurred. Thirty percent of patients ultimately elected for thyroplasty or ansa reinnervation, 22% found their condition to self-resolve, 14% died, and 25% were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a variety of approaches, OBIL is possible in almost all patients. The single surgeon transoral route using a rigid angled telescope and curved injection needle was the most commonly used approach. Multiple injectates can be used and have good safety records. The final disposition of patients may be variable and warrants further investigation.

Self-organizing tissue-engineered constructs in collagen hydrogels

A novel self-organizing behavior of cellularized gels composed of collagen type 1 that may have utility for tissue engineering is described. Depending on the starting geometry of the tissue culture well, toroidal rings of cells or hollow spheroids were prompted to form autonomously when cells were seeded onto the top of gels and the gels released from attachment to the culture well 12 to 24 h after seeding. Cells within toroids assumed distinct patterns of alignment not seen in control gels in which cells had been mixed in. In control gels, cells formed complex three-dimensional arrangements and assumed relatively higher levels of heterogeneity in expression of the fibronectin splice variant ED-A--a marker of epithelial mesenchymal transformation. The tissue-like constructs resulting from this novel self-organizing behavior may have uses in wound healing and regenerative medicine, as well as building blocks for the iterative assembly of synthetic biological structures.

Vocal fold injection: review of indications, techniques, and materials for augmentation

Vocal fold injection is a procedure that has over a 100 year history but was rarely done as short as 20 years ago. A renaissance has occurred with respect to vocal fold injection due to new technologies (visualization and materials) and new injection approaches. Awake, un-sedated vocal fold injection offers many distinct advantages for the treatment of glottal insufficiency (vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold paresis, vocal fold atrophy and vocal fold scar). A review of materials available and different vocal fold injection approaches is performed. A comparison of vocal fold injection to laryngeal framework surgery is also undertaken. With proper patient and material selection, vocal fold injection now plays a major role in the treatment of many patients with dysphonia.

Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty in the management of acute vocal fold paralysis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acute vocal fold paralysis treated with bovine collagen via percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

The charts of 38 consecutive patients with acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis who underwent percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia were reviewed. Symptoms and laryngeal function were assessed pre- and postinjection using the Glottal Function Index (GFI), GRBAS Dysphonia Scale, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS), and maximum phonation time (MPT).

RESULTS

Mean GFI, GRBAS, FOSS, and MPT improved from 13.71 to 7.68, 7.24 to 3.95, 3.70 to 2.20, and 12.87 to 16.45, respectively (P < or = .0001). There were no complications related to the procedure. In seven patients requiring tube feeding secondary to dysphagia and aspiration, injection was successful in restoring oral alimentation in only three patients, with the four failures occurring in patients with multiple cranial neuropathies.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty is a viable option for immediate rehabilitation of acute vocal fold paralysis, and can be performed in the inpatient setting. With dysphagia and aspiration secondary to multiple cranial nerve palsies, medialization of the paralyzed cord alone may be insufficient to restore safe oral alimentation.

The thyrohyoid approach to in-office injection augmentation of the vocal fold

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this article is to review the history of vocal fold injection augmentation and provide a thorough description of the percutaneous thyrohyoid approach to office-based vocal fold injection augmentation for the management of glottic incompetence.

RECENT FINDINGS

A number of techniques for vocal fold injection augmentation have been developed since the first procedure was performed. Since vocal fold injection augmentation is performed without an open surgical approach, morbidity is reduced and the technique can be done in the outpatient setting. Accordingly, over the past decade there has been an effort to perfect techniques and to develop new materials and methods to make the procedure more effective and comfortable for the patient.

SUMMARY

Recently, office-based vocal fold injection augmentation has gained significant popularity among laryngologists. While there are a variety of in-office injection techniques, the thyrohyoid approach, in the authors' opinion, is the simplest and best tolerated. This technique is effective and eliminates many of the shortcomings of the other approaches. This approach continues to be the 'workhorse' for in-office vocal fold injection augmentation in the senior author's practice. It is important, however, for any practitioner to be familiar with the other approaches, as this technique is not universally effective for all patients.