Special Instruments for Laryngeal Framework Surgery

Abstract

Thyroplasties involve a variety of delicate surgical techniques that affect the outcome decisively. In particular, opening a window in the thyroid cartilage, undermining around the window frame and fixation of a window plug in thyroplasty, and passing a suture through the muscular process and thyroid ala are some examples of difficult procedures. Several instruments were devised to facilitate such procedures. They include a special raspatory, an ultrasonic osteotome for cartilage cutting, a narrow polyvinyl tube for suture passing, a suture holder for passing through the muscular process, and a wound retractor for arytenoid adduction. These were found useful in minimizing soft tissue damage and in precise performance of the procedures.