To develop an ovine model for teaching suspension laryngoscopy and phonosurgery.

The head and neck from 10 pre-pubescent sheep were harvested following humane euthanasia at the end of an in vivo protocol. 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.

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.

The sheep head and neck model provides an inexpensive, safe model for developing skills in suspension laryngoscopy and basic phonosurgery.

We undertook collagen injection laryngoplasty to achieve arytenoid augmentation in patients with dysphagia and persistent aspiration following partial laryngectomy, and we evaluated the efficacy of arytenoid augmentation in aiding neoglottic closure and ensuring airway safety.

Two patients with persistent swallowing impairment after partial laryngectomy were studied. Swallowing was evaluated using fibre-optic endoscopy, and modified barium swallow study. Collagen was then injected into the arytenoid mucosa to achieve neoglottic competence.

The patients were followed up for up to two years. Both patients showed a marked improvement in neoglottic competence, as evaluated by fibre-optic and flexible endoscopy at three-month and one-year follow-up appointments.

Arytenoid augmentation by injection laryngoplasty can be considered a safe and effective surgical tool for the treatment of dysphagia with persistent aspiration following partial laryngectomy.