People who aspirate after neurologic insults such as stroke often develop fatal pneumonia. This study examines the effects of dynamic vocal cord closure on swallowing. Implants placed over the chest wall are connected to electrodes placed around the nerve that closes the vocal cords. The patient triggers closure by flipping the switch of a coil taped over the skin covering the internal stimulator. Vocal cord motion is verified by videotaping through an endoscope, and the status of swallowing is documented radiologically by a modified barium swallow.
Data pending
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Placement of stimulator over anterior chest wall, and electrodes around recurrent laryngeal nerve, and tunneling leads between both
University Hospitals Health System
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Videotaping vocal cords and modified barium swallows
Time frame: several months
Tolerance of implanted device
Time frame: immediate to several years
comfort in swallowing
Time frame: one year
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