Implantation of gelatin sponge combined with injection of autologous fat for sulcus vocalis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of gelatin sponge implantation combined with the injection of autologous fat for the treatment of sulcus vocalis.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: The research was conducted at the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University.

Subjects And Methods: Twelve cases of sulcus vocalis were treated. The fibrotic tissue was dissected and a gelatin sponge was implanted into the affected vocal fold followed by injection of autologous fat. Videostroboscopy, maximum phonation time (MPT), and acoustic data were completed before and after surgery.

Results: One month after surgery, the affected vocal fold displayed mild swelling, without evidence of a sulcus and with satisfactory glottal closure. Three months later, vocal vibration and mucosal wave were improved with the vocal fold displaying a more normal shape. Although voices did not achieve complete normalcy, the patients exhibited a better voice, with improved fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, normalized noise energy, and a significantly longer maximum phonation time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Implantation of gelatin sponge combined with injection of autologous fat can be used to treat sulcus vocalis. The absorbable gelatin sponge can be used to fill the superficial lamina propria temporarily to prevent the readhesion of the detached mucosa at the bottom of the sulcus to the underlying tissue, while the injected fat adequately diminishes the insufficient glottal closure.