Medialisation Laryngoplasty with Bone Wax in a Sheep Model

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and biocompatibility of bone wax as an implant for medialisation laryngoplasty in a large animal model. METHODOLOGY Three dorper cross ewes underwent Type I thyroplasty of the right vocal fold(VF) with bone wax. Animals were monitored for 4 weeks for general well-being. The animals were euthanized and the larynges harvested. Histologic evaluation was performed to assess for adverse tissue reaction and biocompatibility. RESULTS The mean amount of bone wax implanted was 0.49(+0.12)g. No adverse events were reported. Ex-vivo vibration was present on high-speed imaging for all medialized VFs. Histology demonstrated implanted paraffin embedded within the thyroarytenoid muscle with no evidence of resorption, a minimal inflammatory infiltrate, and a thin fibrotic capsule. CONCLUSION The results of this investigation suggest that bone wax may be a safe and efficacious implant for medialisation laryngoplasty. Further studies are necessary to assess its long-term safety and efficacy.