Amniotic fluid treatment of vocal fold injury in an in vivo rabbit model

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injectables are a standard treatment for vocal fold injuries in both clinical and research settings. Results from these treatments are not permanent, however, and may vary in effectiveness. Because of this, there is a significant clinical interest in finding an alternative for HA in vocal fold wound treatment. Amniotic fluid (AF) has potential as a regenerative medicine, and has been used in the vocal folds and airway. The current study expanded on pilot work involving treatment of vocal fold wound healing with injectable AF in a rabbit model. A rheological analysis of harvested vocal fold tissue from 60 male New Zealand white rabbits was conducted. The HA injectables better approximated control values at 4 weeks post-injury, while the AF injected tissues approximated control values at 10 weeks. This suggests HA is better at mimicking the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds, but its effects may be temporary in nature. This data also supports a potential for AF in wound healing over time, since rheological analyses were closer to the controls at 10 weeks post-injury.