Bilateral vocal fold immobility: diagnosis and treatment

Vocal fold immobility may be due to bilateral neurogenic paralysis, cricoarytenoid joint fixation, laryngeal synechiae, or posterior glottic stenosis. Treatment aims to establish a patent airway and preserve the function of the glottic sphincter and voice quality.ObjetivesTo analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cases of bilateral vocal fold immobility seen at our unit.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study of 35 patient registries at our unit with a diagnosis of bilateral vocal fold immobility; the etiology and treatment results were evaluated.ResultsAmong the patients, 18 (51.4%) were cases of bilateral vocal fold palsy, and 17 (48,6%) were cases of posterior glottic stenosis. Patients with bilateral palsy underwent unilateral subtotal arytenoidectomy, and patients with stenosis were treated with the microtrapdoor flap technique, subtotal arytenoidectomy, and/or posterior cricoidotomy (Rethi).ConclusionBilateral vocal fold immobility is a potentially fatal condition; it is essential to differentiate vocal fold palsy from fixation to choose the appropriate treatment. Subtotal arytenoidectomy with microscopy is our surgery of choice for treating bilateral paralysis; the technique for treating stenosis depends on the amount of stenosis.     

The role of endoscopic laterofixation of the vocal cord in the treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis.

Different techniques were compared in management of 36 patients with bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords. Ten patients were treated by microsurgical arytenoidectomy through a mid-line thyrotomy, with successful decannulation in only three. Fifteen patients were treated by endolaryngeal microsurgical arytenoidectomy, with failure to decannulate four cases. The procedure of endoscopic laterofixation of the vocal cord was used to treat 11 patients. Ten patients had an adequate long-lasting airway with a socially acceptable voice function. One patient had a revision surgery and was successfully decannulated. The technique was found to be a reliable option in the management of bilateral abductor paralysis. It is a modifiable procedure with a feasibility to adjust the position of the vocal cord under endoscopic control. It can be combined with endolaryngeal arytenoidectomy if the gain in the airway size produced by laterofixation is found insufficient.     

Inmovilidad glótica: estudio retrospectivo de 229 casos

Aretrospective study of the unilateral and bilateral vocal fold immobility cases diagnosed at our hospital between 1985 and 1998 was carried out. Of the 229 cases studied, vocal fold immobility was bilateral in 58 patients (25%), unilateral right in 60 (26%), and unilateral left 111 (49%). The most frequent etiologies in the bilateral cases were thyroid surgery (38%) and prolonged intubation (31%); idiopathic cases (32%) and thyroid surgery (23%) in the unilateral right cases; and idiopathic cases (28%) and extralaryngeal tumors (22%) in the unilateral left cases. Clinical compensation was achieved in more than 85% of cases of unilateral immobility when the etiology was idiopathic or due to surgical damage to the recurrent or vagus nerves, 70% when it was a prolonged intubation, 56% in neurological patients and 38% in extralaryngeal tumors. In patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility, 14% did not require any treatment, 34% had a permanent tracheostomy, and 52% recovered adequate naso-oral ventilation after surgery (tracheostomy only in 12 patients and arytenoidectomy in 18 patients).     

颈侧进路内镜下喉外单侧杓状软骨次全切除术治疗双侧外展性声带麻痹

目的：探讨提高治疗双侧外展性声带麻痹疗效的手术方法。方法：对13例双侧外展性声带麻痹伴呼吸困难的患者，行气管切开插管、全麻，经颈侧进路内镜下实施喉外单侧杓状软骨次全切除术。结果：手术过程均顺利，术后均未放置扩张子；呼吸和发声功能均恢复满意；拔管时间为8～15d，平均11．5d；术后随访6～36个月，未出现再狭窄、发声质量下降及呼吸困难等并发症。结论：该手术操作简单，术中对声门裂的可控性好，对喉黏膜无损伤，无需放置喉内扩张子；术后喉功能恢复快而满意，是治疗双侧外展性声带麻痹的较好术式。     

Late results of laterofixation in the treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords: a clinical study with long-term follow-up

Thirty-four patients with bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis were treated surgically during the period from 1960 to 1979. The main cause of paralysis was thyroid surgery (85%). Woodman's external laterofixation was performed in 31 patients, 1 had laterofixation by laryngofissure and 2 had endoscopic arytenoidectomy. In Woodman's procedure the body of the arytenoid cartilage was removed in 10 cases and mobilized from the cricoarytenoid joint in 21 cases. Thirteen of the 34 patients needed further surgery. Including previously performed procedures in 6 patients, altogether 68 operations were performed and 17 patients (50%) were operated on more than once. The immediate failure rate of laterofixation was 22% but the need for reoperation increased with time and the total failure rate of the method was 44%. Endoscopic arytenoidectomy was successful in 1 of 2 cases as a primary operation and in 3 of 3 cases as secondary operation. Follow-up time ranged from 2 months to 29 years 8 months (mean 15 years 10 months).     

支撑喉镜下杓状软骨切除联合声带外移治疗双侧声带外展麻痹的临床研究

目的探讨支撑喉镜下单侧杓状软骨全切除联合同侧声带外移治疗双侧声带外展麻痹的手术方法和临床意义。方法支撑喉镜下对30例双侧声带外展麻痹伴呼吸困难的患者行CO2激光单侧杓状软骨全切除并用Ejnell法同侧声带外移扩宽声门,手术前、后纤维喉镜检查声门情况,嗓音分析评估发音功能,肺功能检查评估通气情况。结果 30例患者拔管率100%。随访6个月-5年,全部病例无肉芽生长和再狭窄等并发症,均保持语言交流功能。嗓音分析显示基频微扰、振幅微扰手术前、后差异无显著性意义（P均〉0.05）,但手术前、后声门噪声能量、最长声时差异有显著性意义（P均〈0.05）。肺功能显示FEV1、FEV1/FVC手术前、后差异有显著性意义（P均〈0.05）,客观反映了术后气道通气功能改善。结论支撑喉镜下单侧杓状软骨全切除联合同侧声带外移可有效治疗双侧声带外展麻痹,且拔管早,拔管率高,疗效持久,患者的发音功能得到满意的保留,是治疗该类患者的较为理想的方法。     

Unilateral transverse cordotomy for bilateral abductor vocal fold immobility

Objective: We present a case series with airway compromise due to bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis or fixation, treated with unilateral transverse cordotomy. Methods: Of eight consecutive patients with dyspnoea due to bilateral paramedian vocal fold immobility, seven underwent unilateral transverse cordotomy between August 2006 and April 2010 at University Hospital of South Manchester, UK. Airway and voice outcomes were compared before and after surgery. Results: All seven treated cases derived subjective airway function improvement; there was no aspiration. The eighth case had inadequate access. None of the seven treated patients required contralateral cordotomy or permanent tracheostomy. One treated case required a temporary tracheostomy; unilateral transverse cordotomy facilitated eventual decannulation. Two patients died of cancer at five and six weeks, variously. At a mean follow up of 22 months, four cases showed unchanged or slightly worse Voice Symptom Scale and Grade-Roughness-Breathiness-Asthenia-Strain scale scores. Conclusion: In patients with bilateral abductor vocal fold immobility, unilateral transverse cordotomy results in improved dyspnoea with either no voice change or only slight worsening. This is a more conservative procedure than bilateral transverse cordotomy, with the potential for better preservation of voice and breath support.     

Effect of Ejnell's laterofixation of the vocal fold for bilateral fixation at the median position

We reviewed the effect of Ejnell's laterofixation of the vocal fold for bilateral fixation at the median position. Subjects were 10 patients undergoing bilateral vocal fold fixation at the median position from October 1998 to September 2005. We evaluated outcome using indices of FEV1.0/PEFR (ml/L/min) and PEFR (%), which reflect the severity of upper airway obstruction and whether tracheostoma could be closed if tracheostomy preceded Ejnell's procedure. Mean FEV1.0/PEFR and PEFR in 5 patients undergoing breathing capacity examination before and after surgery improved from 13.21 to 9.85 and 30.9 to 51.9. respectively. Six of the 8 undergoing tracheostomy prior to Ejnell's procedure tolerated decannulation. Another 2 whose tracheostoma could not be closed had complications, one having COPD and the other poorly controllable diabetes mellitus, with swollen false vocal fold and arytenoids and granulation. Our results suggest that Ejnell's laterofixation of the vocal fold is effective in treating bilateral vocal fold fixation at the median position. A patient's complications should, however, be taken into consideration before proceeding to Ejnell's laterofixation.     

Etiología y tratamiento de la parálisis laríngea: estudio retrospectivo de 108 pacientes

ObjectivesTo review the aetiology and treatment of laryngeal paralysis diagnosed at our hospital and to describe the available therapeutic options.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records of 108 patients diagnosed with unilateral and bilateral vocal fold paralysis between 2000 and 2012, identifying the cause of paralysis and its treatment.ResultsOf the 108 cases analysed, 70% had unilateral vocal fold immobility and 30% bilateral immobility. The most frequent aetiology in both cases was trauma (represented mainly by surgical injury), followed by tumours in unilateral paralysis and medical causes in bilateral paralysis. Half of the patients with unilateral paralysis (38) were treated surgically, with medialization thyroplasty. In bilateral vocal fold immobility, the treatment consisted of tracheostomy in patients with threatened airway (40%). We planned to widen the air passage in 9 patients (27%), performing cordectomy in most of them.ConclusionsThe aetiology observed in our patients is similar to that described in the literature. In cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, we believe thyroplasty is the procedure of choice. In bilateral paralysis, it is possible to perform cordectomy in selected patients once the airway has been secured.     

CO2激光单侧杓状软骨次全切除术治疗双侧外展性声带麻痹

目的　探讨CO2 激光单侧杓状软骨次全切除术治疗双侧外展性声带麻痹手术的适应证及临床意义。方法　支撑喉镜下对 8例双侧外展性声带麻痹伴呼吸困难的患者实施了CO2 激光单侧杓状软骨次全切除术和手术创面黏膜吻合术。其中 ,继发于双侧甲状腺切除术 5例 ,外伤所致双侧外展性声带麻痹 2例 ,原因不明 1例。术前接受气管造口术 5例 ,气管切开术 1例。术后通过纤维喉镜检查患者新建声门裂的通气情况 ,发音质量主观评估由患者本人和医疗小组共同完成。结果8例患者术后均恢复了满意的呼吸功能 ,发音质量均无明显下降 ,平均气管套管拔除时间为 44 2d。术后随访 5～ 43个月 ,没有出现误吸和再狭窄等并发症。结论　支撑喉镜下CO2 激光单侧杓状软骨次全切除术和创面黏膜吻合术简单易行 ,创面小 ,术后愈合快 ,可避免肉芽组织增生和瘢痕形成所导致的声门区再狭窄 ,患者的呼吸和发音功能均得到了满意的恢复和保留     

CO2 laser endoscopic subtotal arytenoidectomy for bilateral median vocal cord paralysis]

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the surgical procedures and correlated techniques for endoscopic subtotal arytenoidectomy, as well as to discuss their applications and clinical outcomes. METHODS: CO2 Laser endoscopic unilateral arytenoidectomy was performed in eight cases of bilateral median vocal cord paralysis combined with one stage of mucosal micro-anastomosis. All patients suffered from dyspnea in some extent, of which 5 had the history of thyroidectomy and 2 had traumatic causes following esophagectomy and tracheal surgery respectively. One of patient had unknown cause. Six patients had undergone tracheotomy prior to operation or before their referral to our hospital. The airway was evaluated via fibro-optic laryngoscopy, and the voice quality was assessed subjectively by the patients and the surgeon before and after surgery. RESULTS: Following 5-43 months after the surgery, in all cases the function of airway as well as the acceptable voice quality was successfully restored. The tracheotomy done before operation in six patients was decannulated within the mean time of 44.2 days post-operation. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic approach for CO2 laser unilateral arytenoidectomy may lead to better restoration of an adequate airway and satisfying phonation without postoperative aspiration. Mucosal micro-anastomosis can prevent the formation of granulation or scar tissue thus promotes the healing processes. This procedure is simpler than other ordinary surgical methods, and could be a satisfactory alternation of treatment for bilateral median vocal cord paralysis.     

Endoscopic laser medial arytenoidectomy for treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis

Endoscopic laser medial arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal fold paralysis has the advantage of preserving the structure and the position of the vocal fold, contrary to a transverse cordotomy or total arytenoidectomy. Our objective was to evaluate the functional results of this procedure. This is a prospective non-randomized study. Twenty patients were included: five patients had a tracheotomy preoperatively and 15 patients had dyspnea on exertion. Acoustic voice measurements, spirometric parameters and the voice handicap index 120 (VHI), were evaluated 1 week before surgery and 3 months after. All the five patients with tracheotomy were successfully decannulated. Acoustic records and VHI were available for eight patients. Jitter and shimmer were worse (p = 0.0078), whereas the VHI was not significantly different after surgery. Spirometric records, available for six patients, were not modified. Endoscopic laser medial arytenoidectomy allowed decannulation and subjective improvement of quality of life in patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis.     

Late results of laterofixation in the treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords: a clinical study with long-term follow-up.

Thirty-four patients with bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis were treated surgically during the period from 1960 to 1979. The main cause of paralysis was thyroid surgery (85%). Woodman's external laterofixation was performed in 31 patients, 1 had laterofixation by laryngofissure and 2 had endoscopic arytenoidectomy. In Woodman's procedure the body of the arytenoid cartilage was removed in 10 cases and mobilized from the cricoarytenoid joint in 21 cases. Thirteen of the 34 patients needed further surgery. Including previously performed procedures in 6 patients, altogether 68 operations were performed and 17 patients (50%) were operated on more than once. The immediate failure rate of laterofixation was 22% but the need for reoperation increased with time and the total failure rate of the method was 44%. Endoscopic arytenoidectomy was successful in 1 of 2 cases as a primary operation and in 3 of 3 cases as secondary operation. Follow-up time ranged from 2 months to 29 years 8 months (mean 15 years 10 months).     

A new electromyographic definition of laryngeal synkinesis

Laryngeal synkinesis involves the misdirected reinnervation of an injured recurrent laryngeal nerve to vocal fold abductor and adductor musculature. The resultant laryngeal dyscoordination can cause vocal fold immobility and airway compromise. Although this entity is sometimes considered in the differential diagnosis, it is only demonstrable with laryngeal electromyography (EMG). We propose a new EMG definition of synkinesis to assist in its identification during workup of vocal fold immobility. A retrospective chart review from 1992 to 1997 in the Voice Disorders Clinic identified 10 patients with laryngeal synkinesis. Five patients had bilateral immobility, and 5 had unilateral immobility. Monopolar EMG was performed on all patients. Fine-wire EMG was performed when monopolar EMG did not elucidate the cause of the immobility. The EMG studies revealed synkinetic reinnervation in all subjects. On the basis of the EMG results, 7 of the 10 patients were treated with botulinum toxin to weaken the undesired reinnervation. Three of the 7 patients had benefit from this therapy. Laryngeal synkinesis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of vocal fold immobility. Awake laryngeal EMG is the only method to demonstrate synkinesis of the larynx. The diagnosis of synkinesis is clinically significant in cases of immobility to identify patients who might benefit from botulinum toxin therapy. Additionally, the presence of synkinesis in cases of unilateral immobility may be a contraindication to laryngeal reinnervation procedures. The benefit of botulinum toxin therapy is likely greater in the treatment of bilateral as opposed to unilateral immobility.     

低温等离子单侧声带离断并同侧杓状软骨切除术治疗双侧声带外展麻痹

目的 探讨在内镜支撑喉镜辅助下, 采用低温等离子消融刀头行单侧声带离断加同侧杓状软骨切除术治疗双侧声带外展麻痹的疗效。方法 对双侧声带外展麻痹的患者19例, 采用低温等离子消融术行单侧声带离断加同侧杓状软骨切除术进行治疗, 术后随访6～42个月, 分析评估该术式的临床效果。结果 19例术后呼吸功能恢复满意, 术后1个月内安全拔管18例, 其中术前已行气管切开8例。术后瘢痕挛缩喉腔狭窄未能拔管者1例, 经再次手术行对侧杓状软骨切除后成功拔管。嗓音评估发声效果满意14例, 轻微下降但患者能接受4例, 行2次手术者声嘶较前明显加重1例。结论 低温等离子单侧声带离断及同侧杓状软骨切除术治疗双侧声带外展麻痹, 术后呼吸困难完全缓解, 拔管率高, 发声功能保留良好。此术式创伤小, 术后愈合快, 安全、有效、微创。     

Intraoperative laryngeal electromyography in children with vocal fold immobility: a simplified technique

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a simplified technique for intraoperative laryngeal electromyography was feasible using standard nerve integrity monitoring electrodes and audiovisual digital recording equipment. Our secondary objective was to determine if laryngeal electromyography data provided any additional information that significantly influenced patient management. METHODS: Between February 2006 and February 2007, 10 children referred to our institution with vocal fold immobility underwent intraoperative laryngeal electromyography of the thyroarytenoid muscles. A retrospective chart review of these 10 patients was performed after institutional review board approval. RESULTS: Standard nerve integrity monitoring electrodes can be used to perform intraoperative laryngeal electromyography of the thyroarytenoid muscles in children. In 5 of 10 cases reviewed, data from laryngeal electromyography recordings meaningfully influenced the care of children with vocal fold immobility and affected clinical decision-making, sometimes altering management strategies. In the remaining 5 children, data supported clinical impressions but did not alter treatment plans. Two children with idiopathic bilateral vocal fold paralysis initially presented with a lack of electrical activity on one or both sides but went on to develop motor unit action potentials that preceded recovery of motion in both vocal folds. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that standard nerve monitoring equipment can be used to perform intraoperative laryngeal electromyography and that electromyographic data can assist clinicians in the management of complex patients. Additionally, there may be a role for the use of serial intraoperative measurements in predicting recovery from vocal fold paralysis in the pediatric age group.     

Endoscopic laterofixation in bilateral vocal cords paralysis in children

Introduction

Vocal cords paralysis is the second most frequent cause of laryngeal stridor in children. Symptoms of congenital vocal cords paralysis can occur shortly after birth or later. Vocal cords paralysis can be unilateral or bilateral. Symptoms of unilateral paralysis include hoarse weeping or stridor during a deep inhalation. In children unilateral vocal cords paralysis often retreats spontaneously or can be completely compensated. Children with bilateral vocal cords paralysis present mainly breathing disorders while phonation is normal. Symptoms are different, starting from complete occlusion of respiratory tracts and ending on small symptoms connected with the lack of effort tolerance. When symptoms are severe, patients from this group require a tracheotomy. The lack of restoration of normal function of vocal cords or lack of complete compensation and maintenance of symptoms are an indication for surgical treatment.

Objective

The aim of this study is to present results of the treatment of bilateral vocal cords paralysis in children using the endoscopic method of laterofixation of vocal cords.

Material and methods

In the Pediatric ENT Department between 1998 and 2009 sixty four children with dyspnoea and/or phonation disorders caused by vocal cords paralysis were treated.

Results

In ten cases laterofixation of vocal cords was performed, in most cases with good result. In this article the authors present the method of endoscopic laterofixation and achieved results.

Conclusions

Endoscopic laterofixation of vocal cords in children is a safe and an easy method of surgical treatment of bilateral vocal cords paralysis. This method can be used as a first and often as a one stage treatment of vocal cords paralysis. In some cases this procedure is insufficient and has to be completed with other methods.     

Laser arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal fold paralysis

Laser arytenoidectomy can be performed via an intralaryngeal approach which preserves airway and voice quality without aspiration. Laser arytenoidectomy is minimally invasive surgery, and a useful surgical procedure for bilateral vocal fold paralysis. CO2 laser arytenoidectomy was performed for 12 cases of bilateral vocal fold paralysis. Recommended methods for this surgical procedure are: 1) Submucous laser arytenoidectomy should be done. 2) To widen the posterior glottis, not only the arytenoid cartilage but also the posterior part of the thyroarytenoid muscle should be removed. 3) Membranous portions of the vocal folds should not be vaporized. 4) The wound should be covered with mucosa with fibrin glue.     

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis and adhesion in anterior spinal artery syndrome

The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of anterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS) in which there proved to be a combined lesion of paralysis and adhesion. A 26-year-old woman with a history of ASAS complained of difficulty of tracheal decannulation. In 1988, she was intubated and underwent tracheotomy because of respiratory muscle weakness, and she was decannulated in 1990. In 1998, she had cesarean delivery under general anesthesia, and postdelivery dyspnea necessitated tracheotomy again. On her first visit to us, endoscopic examination revealed bilateral vocal fold immobility at the midline without an apparent web. Direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia revealed a posterior glottic adhesion and scarring, which were treated by excision of the scar and local steroid injection. The left vocal fold gradually regained mobility, permitting decannulation 3 months after treatment. This complicated vocal fold immobility was found to be due to adhesion and partial paralysis combined.     

Laterofixation of the vocal fold using an endo-extralaryngeal needle carrier for bilateral vocal fold paralysis

Objectives

Laterofixation of the vocal fold is a simple and reliable surgical intervention for laryngeal obstruction due to bilateral vocal fold fixation to obtain sufficient glottal space. Nevertheless, it has some technical disadvantages. This report summarizes the surgical outcomes in patients who underwent laterofixation of the vocal fold with or without the use of an endo-extralaryngeal needle carrier (EENC).

Methods

A prospective study of 11 consecutive patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis. All of the patients underwent unilateral vocal fold laterofixation. Six patients were assigned to the non-EENC group and five to the EENC group. The surgical outcomes were evaluated, including the operating time and respiratory and phonatory functions.

Results

The operating time was 44% shorter in the EENC group and less skin incisions were required. Postoperatively, the dyspnea was eliminated in all of the patients in both groups, and the six patients who required a tracheotomy were successfully decannulated. Spirometry confirmed the improvements in %FEV₁ and %PEF in the two groups. Postoperative voice function was socially acceptable in all patients, and it tended to be better in the non-EENC group. In the EENC group, one patient developed a minor submucosal hematoma and another patient had a recurrence of dyspnea 2 months postoperatively, probably due to thread disruption.

Conclusion

The present study confirms that laterofixation of the vocal fold with or without EENC relieves laryngeal obstruction. Surgery with the EENC is simpler and quicker than the conventional procedure. However, the surgery with the EENC has some disadvantages, including likely problems with the thread and downward traction on the vocal fold. Surgeons should be aware of these possible shortcomings.