Correlations between oropharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy and the frequency of singing voice: A population-based study, in Greece

The aim of this study is to explore if there is correlation between the typical voice classification and oropharyngeal anatomy, using cervical posterior-anterior radiography on professional singers in Epirus, Greece. Methods: 70 professional singers, 35 men and 35 women, were recruited for this study. All participants underwent a cervical posterior-anterior radiographic imaging of their oral pharyngeal and laryngeal area. Results: A statistically significant difference of mean distance was observed for the CI-MHP area (p=0,004), the MHP- SCV area (F=2,62, p=0,032), as well as SCV-AI area (F=11,82, p=0,000). For the average length measured in mm of the phonetic area PA, statistically significant differences were computed among all the singers in the group (F [5] = 5.368, p = 0.001), as well as the OPC area (F = 6,48, p = 0,000). Conclusions: The cervical posteroanterior radiography provided new correlations of the voice category of professional singers with their Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Anatomy.

Size selection of the Ambu AuraOnce laryngeal mask in Chinese men weighing >70 kg: a pilot study

Objective To collect computed tomography data of the laryngeal anatomy of Chinese men and to determine the feasibility of using the size 4 Ambu AuraOnce laryngeal mask (Ambu A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark) in Chinese men weighing >70 kg. Methods This prospective study involved men who underwent surgery from May 2018 to January 2019 at Jinshan Hospital. Pharyngeal and laryngeal parameters were measured by computed tomography. The laryngeal mask insertion success rate, requirement for tracheal tube insertion, laryngeal mask insertion time, fiberoptic bronchoscopy grading, air leakage pressure, and pharyngeal complications were analyzed. Results In a comparison of the size 4 and 5 Ambu AuraOnce devices, the first insertion success rate was 100% and 87% and the three-times insertion success rate was 100% and 93%, respectively, with no significant differences. However, the insertion time was significantly different at 19.6 ± 5.9 versus 31.1 ± 11.2 s, respectively, and the proportions of fiberoptic grading levels were also significantly different. There were no significant differences in the air leakage pressure or pharyngeal complications. Conclusion The size 4 Ambu AuraOnce is more adequate than the size 5 for Chinese men weighing >70 kg, with a shorter insertion time and higher fiberoptic bronchoscopic grading.

Effect of endotracheal intubation versus laryngeal mask airway on patient’s quality of voice and swallowing

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of our study was to evaluate postoperative voice and swallowing disorders during the first postoperative week and to compare these findings between two anesthesia methods: endotracheal intubation tube (ETI) and laryngeal mask airway (LMA).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with ETI (n=103) and patients who underwent open hernioplasty or lower extremity varicectomy with LMA (n=100). All subjects underwent preoperatively and during the first postoperative week laryngeal imaging by videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS), filled in subjective evaluations of voice and swallowing complaints. In addition, acoustic voice analysis (AVA), maximum phonation time (MPT) measurement and perceptual voice evaluation were conducted. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> VLS showed visual changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy in 4 (4%) patients of the LMA group and 14 (13.6%) patients of the ETI group (p=0.02). No statistically significant postoperative subjective voice and swallowing changes were found in either group. In female patients AVA showed a statistically significant increase of the SPI value in the ETI group (p=0.037). In male patients we noted an increase in mean fundamental frequency (F₀) and decrease in MPT with both ventilation methods.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Both investigated ventilation methods can be regarded as practically equal. Although clinical signs showed more intense trauma in the ETI group, objective measurements and patient subjective evaluation of voice and swallowing function were similar in both groups.</p><p> </p>

C-MAC© videolaryngoscopy: The anaesthetic assistant’s view

Although videolaryngoscopy plays a major role in the 2015 Difficult Airway Society guidelines, the impact on anaesthetic assistant working practices and training has not previously been reported. We surveyed anaesthetic assistants in our hospital to document their experience with using the C-MAC© videolaryngoscope (48 practitioners, 100% response rate). Improvements in the following were reported: patient safety 100%; ability to see whether laryngoscopy is difficult 98%; ability to anticipate the ‘next step’ 98%; team-working and human factors 96%; ability to call a senior anaesthetist more quickly 94%; assessment or adjustment of cricoid force application 92%, understanding of laryngeal anatomy 92%; training in intubation 98%; training in cricoid force application 87%. Concerns were primarily about local issues such as decontamination and blade availability. Ninety percent reported that the clinical benefit outweighed any additional workload. In conclusion, the C-MAC© videolaryngoscope is judged by anaesthetic assistants to confer numerous advantages for their working practice and training.

The hyolaryngeal apparatus of three species of Scinax (Scinaxinae: Hylidae: Anura) and comparison with other Hylidae species

The larynx is an important morphological structure for sound production in frogs. Recently, high levels of variation in calls and their relation to the morphology of frogs in the family Hylidae, in addition to molecular data, have resulted in significant changes in the taxonomy of this family. However, there are few studies that describe the structures and processes of the hyoid, cricoid or arytenoid in hylid frogs. We studied the hyolaryngeal anatomy of both males and females of three species of the hylid genus Scinax (S. ruber, S. wandae and S. kennedyi) using differential and enzymatic clearing and staining methods. We describe the laryngeal anatomy of these species and compare to those of other hylids. We found that S. ruber has the largest cartilage arytenoid of any species of the family Hylidae studied to date. We show the laryngeal differences between Scinax species and the interspecific variability in the shapes of the projections among the arytenoid in the males of those species. The taxonomic characters described here can play a key role in differentiating these species from other members of Scinax, contributing to the knowledge of the species examined, and helping to differentiate them from other species, and to contributing also the natural history and phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

The hyolaryngeal apparatus of three species of Scinax (Scinaxinae: Hylidae: Anura) and comparison with other Hylidae species

The larynx is an important morphological structure for sound production in frogs. Recently, high levels of variation in calls and their relation to the morphology of frogs in the family Hylidae, in addition to molecular data, have resulted in significant changes in the taxonomy of this family. However, there are few studies that describe the structures and processes of the hyoid, cricoid or arytenoid in hylid frogs. We studied the hyolaryngeal anatomy of both males and females of three species of the hylid genus Scinax (S. ruber, S. wandae and S. kennedyi) using differential and enzymatic clearing and staining methods. We describe the laryngeal anatomy of these species and compare to those of other hylids. We found that S. ruber has the largest cartilage arytenoid of any species of the family Hylidae studied to date. We show the laryngeal differences between Scinax species and the interspecific variability in the shapes of the projections among the arytenoid in the males of those species. The taxonomic characters described here can play a key role in differentiating these species from other members of Scinax, contributing to the knowledge of the species examined, and helping to differentiate them from other species, and to contributing also the natural history and phylogenetic relationships within the genus.