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Dynamic Laryngeal Opening for Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis by an Implanted Stimulator

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Registration Number
NCT00845442
Lead Sponsor
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Brief Summary

People who had paralysis of the vocal cords are often prevented from breathing by this problem because the cords will not open, and the patients have to wear a tracheostomy (neck breathing tube) to bypass this airway obstruction. This study examines the effects of vocal cord opening triggered by a pacemaker implanted over the chest wall. The device is connected to a nerve taken from a muscle close to the larynx (voice box) and implanted into the paralysed laryngeal muscle so it can reinnervate it. When this process is complete after a few weeks, the stimulator is turned on and the level of vocal cord opening is assessed. Airway improvement is checked by pulmonary function tests and measurements of vocal cord opening. The ultimate goal of the study is to lead to situations where patients with bilateral vocal fold paralyses could get rid of the neck breathing tube to have less complications, be more comfortable and socially acceptable.

Detailed Description

Data pending

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • Breathing difficulties from vocal cord paralyses
  • Tracheostomy tube
  • Ability to understand the purpose of the research
  • Appropriate hand motor coordination
Exclusion Criteria
  • Lack of understanding the research
  • Poor hand motor coordination
  • Non-acceptance of tracheostomy
  • Inability to passively move the paralyzed vocal cords

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospitals of Cleveland

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Cleveland, Ohio, United States

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