Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of halofuginone on posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) in an animal model.
Study design: A randomized, controlled animal study.
Subjects and methods: Sixteen male New Zealand White rabbits were used for this study. After the mucosa of posterior glottis was removed for producing PGS, the study group (eight rabbits) was given intraperitoneal halofuginone at 0.1 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks and saline was injected into peritoneum in the control group. At 4 weeks after injury, postsurgical changes of posterior glottis were evaluated by gross and histologic examination.
Results: PGS was induced by the mucosal stripping of the posterior glottis. The halofuginone-treated group showed less scarring and granulation tissue formation. Also, the degree of synechia was significantly less than that of control group. Histologic analysis showed the decreased fibrosis in the halofuginone-treated group.
Conclusion: This study suggests that halofuginone can be helpful in preventing PGS after laryngeal injury.