Objectives/hypothesis: Adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) are abundant and easy to prepare. Such cells may be useful for treating severe vocal disturbance caused by acute vocal fold scars.
Study design: Prospective animal experiments with controls.
Methods: Twenty New-Zealand white rabbits were used in the present study. We evaluated vocal fold healing, with or without injection of autologous ASCs, after acute scarring. A defined lesion was created and the ASCs were immediately injected. Vocal fold regeneration was evaluated histomorphometrically and via viscoelastic analysis using an electrodynamic shaker.
Results: Six weeks after ASC injection, vocal folds exhibited significantly less inflammation than control folds (P < 0.005). In addition, hypertrophy of the lamina propria and fibrosis were significantly reduced upon ASC injection (P < 0.02). The decrease in viscoelastic parameters was less important in the ASC injected group compared to the noninjected group (P = 0.08).
Conclusion: Injection of autologous ASCs improved vocal fold healing in our preclinical model. Further studies are needed, but this method may be useful in humans.
Level of evidence: NA. Laryngoscope, 126:E278-E285, 2016.
Keywords: Wound healing; adipose stromal cells; biomechanical analysis; cytotherapy; vocal fold scar.
© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.