Ultrasonic Pin Placement for Resorbable Rigid Fixation of a Thyroid Cartilage Fracture

OBJECTIVETo present the first use of an ultrasonic pin resorbable plate fixation system for rigid fixation of a laryngeal fracture. METHODSPresentation of a 20-year-old male with a high velocity injury to his neck, via a lacrosse ball, resulting in a displaced laryngeal cartilage fracture. RESULTSIntraoperatively, a Poly-D, L-Lactic Acid (PDLLA) polymer plate was contoured in-situ, bridging the fracture, and secured with ultrasonically placed resorbable pins. He was extubated on post-op day one and had return to vocal baseline one-month post-op. CONCLUSIONUltrasonic pin placement systems for resorbable rigid fixation of a thyroid cartilage fracture optimizes recovery of respiratory and phonatory functions. Laryngoscope, 133:1470-1472, 2023.