Our research concerns the treatment of voice impairment and the development of methods for measuring vocal cord function.
It also concerns the treatment of vocal cord dysfunction and the reconstruction of vocal cord damage and defects using implants and stem cells. The projects mainly focus on development of treatment for hoarseness following damage or defects of the vocal cords including tissue scarring after surgery or radiation, single-sided paralysis, congenital defects, and age-related atrophy.
We have developed treatment using hyaluronic acid, in which different preparations possessing various rheological properties (the relationship between elasticity and plasticity of various materials) can be used for treatment, depending on the fundamental cause of impairment. This project also includes development of methods for measuring vocal cord elasticity and an interactive computer model that visually simulates the effects of various pathologies and treatments on vocal cord oscillations. We are currently carrying out experimental studies using stem cells for the reconstruction of experimentally induced vocal cord damage.
More information can be found in these important scientific articles:
1. Hertegård S, Dahlqvist Å, Laurent C, Olofsson K, Sederholm E, Hallén L, Testad P. (2002). Cross-linked hyaluronan (hylan B gel) and bovine collagen used as augmentation substances for treatment of patients with glottal insufficiency –evaluation of safety and vocal fold function. Laryngoscope 112 (12):2211-2219.
2. Hertegård S, Dahlqvist Å, Laurent C, Borzacchiello A, Ambrosio L. (2003). Viscoelastic properties of rabbit vocal folds after augmentation. Otolaryngology –Head and Neck Surgery. 128/3 pp. 401-406.
3. Dahlqvist Å, Gärskog O, Laurent C, Hertegård S, Ambrosio L, Borzacchiello A. (2004) Viscoelasticity of Rabbit Vocal Folds after Injection Augmentation. Laryngoscope 114 (1): 138-142.