Safety and short-term outcomes of basic fibroblast growth factor injection for sulcus vocalis

Abstract

Background: Sulcus vocalis (SV) is characterized by the appearance of a groove and fibrotic changes in the vocal fold mucosa and an often irrevocable loss of tissue viscoelasticity and vibratory potential. Although several surgical approaches have been proposed, none are ideal treatments. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may stimulate fibroblasts in the superficial layer of the lamina propria (SLP) and increase the vibration of vocal fold mucosa.

Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of bFGF injection for SV.

Materials and methods: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000019347). Twelve cases of pathological SV were treated using a method involving bFGF injection. The treatment regimen involved the injection of 50 µg of bFGF into the SLP. More than 3 months after the injection, aerodynamic and acoustic outcomes were examined.

Results: No adverse events were recorded. Significant improvements were observed in the maximum phonation time (MPT) and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) after treatment. Multiple injections achieved additional effects.

Conclusions and significance: bFGF injection may be a safe and suitable office-based surgery for the alleviation of hoarseness caused by SV based on this preliminary short-term study.