Ex vivoovine model for suspension microlaryngoscopy training

Objective:To develop an ovine model for teaching suspension laryngoscopy and phonosurgery.Methods:The head and neck from 10 pre-pubescent sheep were harvested following humane euthanasia at the end of anin vivoprotocol. No live animals were used in this study. The tissues were saline-perfused and refrigerated for 1–5 days. Suspension laryngoscopy was performed using adolescent Parsons and adult Kantor-Berci laryngoscopes suspended with a Benjamin-Parsons laryngoscope holder. Visualisation was achieved with 0° and 30° telescopes, and a three-chip camera and video system. Shapshay-Ossoff microlaryngeal instruments were used for endolaryngeal dissection.Results:Experienced laryngologists led a second year medical student through several procedures including injection laryngoplasty, hydrodissection and incision, endolaryngeal suturing, and partial cordectomy. Despite expected anatomical differences, the model proved highly realistic for suspension microlaryngoscopy.Conclusion:The sheep head and neck model provides an inexpensive, safe model for developing skills in suspension laryngoscopy and basic phonosurgery.

A Simple Method of Laryngeal Photography through the Operating Microscope “Macrolens Technique”

A simple and inexpensive method of laryngeal photography through the eyepiece of the operating microscope is described. Provided that the operating room is equipped with the microscope, the laryngoscope and the laryngoscope holder, the only essential equipment required is an “aperture-preferred” automatic single lens reflex camera with a 50 mm macrolens. The macrolens of the camera is placed against an eyepiece of the microscope and the laryngeal image is centered and focused via the viewfinder of the camera. The respiration of the patient is temporarily halted. The camera is held still and pictures taken. Kodak high speed Ektachrome® tungsten film ASA 160 is used and push-processed to ASA 320. With practice, one should be able to obtain satisfactory photograph of the larynx suitable for teaching and documentation.