The Dailey Laboratory
Faculty > Seth Dailey
Seth Dailey
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology
dailey@surgery.wisc.edu
Organ System/Disease Focus
Laryngeal reconstruction for restoration of voice and swallowing function.
Aligned Research Focus
Tissue engineering of the vocal folds themselves by two approaches: the introduction of autologous tissue into the vocal fold; and the introduction of biodegradable scaffolds designed to allow ingrowth of native cells.
Research Description
My current research in canines is designed to evaluate the efficacy of novel local laryngeal soft tissue flaps in the treatment of vocal fold scar. A central hypothesis is that the adipocyte-derived stem cells within the flap will favorably influence the injured/scarred vocal fold. The flap may also act as a scaffold for local cellular ingrowth that mimics the native vocal fold compartment. Preliminary work on this novel surgical technique employing "local" tissue engineering was awarded an Honorable Mention award by the Triological Society and its manuscript is in review. Additional tissue engineering work has included collaborative efforts with Dr. Wan-Ju Li in Biomedical Engineering. We are examining the role of a biodegradable polymeric nanoscaffold as an implant into the muscular layer of the vocal fold as a treatment for glottic insufficiency (a gap between the vocal folds). We have successfully manufactured and measured the rheologic properties of nanoscaffolds composed of polymeric blends of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid. We have applied for funding through ICTR to evaluate in a rabbit model if the implants successfully allow ingrowth of native cells and if there is local damage to the adjacent lamina propria, a vocal fold compartment critical for vibration.
Selected References
Dailey SH, Gunderson M, Welham NW, Chan R, Bless DM. Local Vascularized Flaps for Augmentation of Reinke’s Space. Laryngoscope (submitted).
Goodyear E, Dailey, SH. Gradation of Stiffness of the Mucosa Inferior to the Vocal Fold. Journal of Voice. (Accepted)
Goodyer E, Welham NV, Choi S, Yamashita M, Dailey SH. The shear modulus of the human vocal fold in a transverse direction. Journal of Voice. 2009. 23(2)151-5.
Welham N, Dailey SH, Ford CN, Bless DM. Voice handicap evaluation of patients with pathologic sulcus vocalis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2007 Jun;116(6):411-7.1
Dailey SH, Ford CN. Surgical Management of Sulcus Vocalis and Vocal Fold Scarring. Otolaryngologic Clinics on North America. Elsevier. 2006 Feb;39(1):23-42.