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).     

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.     

Bilateral vocal fold immobility: Clinical findings of ten cases and suggested treatment options

ObjectiveTo present the clinical findings of 10 cases of bilateral vocal fold immobility (adducted type) and suggest potential treatment options.MethodsThis retrospective study included 10 patients who underwent tracheostomy for restricted airway due to bilateral vocal fold immobility of the adducted type during the period from 2007 to 2017. All 10 patients underwent unilateral laterofixation surgery with or without additional arytenoidectomy using a CO₂ laser. The effect of laterofixation surgery for decannulation was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the effects of laterofixation based on the results of preoperative and intraoperative examinations including endoscopic examinations, electromyography, and the intraoperative traction-mobility test.ResultsInitial laterofixation surgery for decannulation was effective in 6 cases. In the 4 cases that exhibited laterofixation failure, additional endoscopic subtotal arytenoidectomy was performed. Statistical analysis of the effects of laterofixation revealed that, in cases with bilateral preserved muscle tone, unilateral simple laterofixation surgery was unable to achieve a significantly effective glottal airway. Additional subtotal arytenoidectomy was also ineffective in a case with bilateral ankylosis.ConclusionBased on the clinical findings in these 10 cases of bilateral vocal fold immobility of the adducted type, treatment options are suggested and a severity classification system of bilateral vocal fold immobility is proposed that focuses mainly on electromyography results for assessment of dynamic restenosis and traction-mobility test results for assessment of static restenosis. Validation of the classification system is needed in a larger cohort of cases of bilateral vocal fold 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。     

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     

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。     

两种手术方法治疗双侧声带神经麻痹

目的 通过观察经喉外进路及经支撑喉镜下行CO2激光手术切除杓状软骨治疗双侧声带神经麻痹的疗效,对比两种手术方法的优缺点,择优选取合适的术式。方法 对双侧喉返神经致喉狭窄的13例术后患者进行随访,其中7例行喉外进路杓状软骨切除术声带外展固定,6例行经支撑喉镜下行CO2激光手术切除杓状软骨,13例术前均已行气管切开,术后随访6个月至2年。结果 采用喉外进路杓状软骨切除术声带外展固定7例,术后1次拔管3例,2次拔管2例;采用经支撑喉镜下行CO2激光手术切除杓状软骨6例,术后1次拔管4例,2次拔管1例。结论 两种手术方法各有优缺点。     

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.     

Surgical management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis

Fifty-five patients with bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords were managed surgically from 1957 to 1973. Initially, unilateral arytenoidectomy or arytenoidopexy was employed. If this was not satisfactory, a contralateral arytenoidectomy was performed 6 to 12 months later. If the patient's airway was still inadequate, then open unilateral submucous resection of the vocal cord was accomplished. Initial management was successful in 62 percent (34/55) of patients, and 50 of 55 patients (91 percent) were eventually decannulated. Failure of the arytenoidectomy appeared to be related to traumatic etiology of the bilateral paralysis, presence of previous treatment, and technical problems of the procedure itself.     

1068例人工耳蜗植入临床经验的总结

目的通过对10年共1068例人工耳蜗植入手术的总结,为深入开展人工耳蜗植入的临床工作提供经验。方法截至2008年2月,对1068例重度以上耳聋患者植入了多导人工耳蜗,其中包括澳大利亚Nucleus678例、奥地利Medel309例、美国AB81例,其中双侧植入2例,Nucleus和Medel各1例。结果①手术成功率：1068例人工耳蜗植入手术均一次成功,手术成功率100％。②手术并发症：术中面神经电钻灼伤2例,术后1～3个月完全恢复;术后伤口水肿和血肿自行恢复15例。③术后问题：术后1个月出现分泌性中耳炎鼓膜穿孔治疗5个月痊愈1例,肥胖体形线圈固定困难3例,术后耳鸣加重5例,术后伤口感染植入体裸露进行转移肌瓣修复5例,术后外伤植入体损坏二次更换3例,原因不清植入体不工作二次更换2例,期望值达不到患者要求取出2例。④术后效果：声场测听〈45dB、汉语言语识别率〉70％共758例,占71％;声场测听〉45dB、汉语言语识别率〈70％共310例,占29％。结论①1068例人工耳蜗植入术后信息反馈显示：本组人工耳蜗植入手术的成功率达到100％,与国内外平均水平相比有显著的优势。②手术并发症较少而且未发生严重并发症,但是麻醉的风险仍不能忽视,尤其是气道痉挛问题。③术后听觉言语康复问题较多,主要是一些患者术后的听觉言语康复效果差而在术前无法进行准确评估。④目前一些特殊的人工耳蜗植入患者,如耳蜗内听道畸形、听神经病、脑瘫、自闭症、弱智、年龄较大术前昕觉言语基础较差者等,术后听觉言语康复效果不佳。     

Laser arytenoidectomy in the management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children

Objective

To analyse the efficacy of CO₂ laser arytenoidectomy in the management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children.

Methods

Retrospective series of 17 patients who underwent laser arytenoidectomy for bilateral vocal cord between 1995 and 2008 in a tertiary care institution. All patients had bilateral laryngeal paralysis, in isolation (n = 5) or associated with concomitant airway conditions (n = 12). All cases had anterior prolapse of the arytenoids with partial obstruction of the airway on inspiration. 12/17 patients (70.5%) were tracheotomy-dependant, 2/17 were in-extubatable, and 3/17 had severe airway limitation, effort dyspnea and poor sleep pattern. Main outcome measures were decannulation rate for patients with tracheotomy, occurrence of aspiration and quality of voice.

Results

The mean age was 2.8 years old. 9/12 patients with tracheotomy (75%) were decannulated with a median delay of 2 months (2 days to 18 months). Both of the intubated patients were extubated with a median delay of 36 h. One of the decannulated patients who re-presented with a residual dyspnea after the arytenoidectomy was improved by a further laser cordotomy. 2/17 patients (11.7%) had post-operative persistent aspirations (with pneumopathies in one case), 5/17 patients were dysphonic, 3 improved with speech therapy and 2 with intracordal lipoinjection.

Conclusions

Laser arytenoidectomy is effective for improving the breathing in children presenting with a bilateral vocal fold paralysis associated with obstructive arytenoid prolapse. Results are good as a first-line surgery or following laryngo-tracheal surgery. Voice outcomes are satisfactory. However, aspiration is a rare complication.     

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.     

CO2 laser subtotal arytenoidectomy and posterior true and false cordotomy in the treatment of post-thyroidectomy bilateral laryngeal fixation in adduction

A total of 39 patients with bilateral post-thyroidectomy vocal cord paralysis in adduction underwent CO₂ laser subtotal arytenoidectomies with removal of the posterior third of the false and true vocal cords. Total airway resistance (R _tot) evaluated before and 4–10 months after surgery showed marked preoperative impairment before and significant improvement after surgery (P < 0.05). In five patients revision surgery was performed due to a progressive impairment of respiratory function. A variable degree of voice breathiness was observed after surgery; the maximum phonation time mean values were lower than normal and peak sound pressure levels 63 ± 5 dB. In three cases aspiration was present in the first postoperative days, but swallowing dysfunctions disappeared within 1 week. Subtotal arytenoidectomy with removal of the posterior third of the true and false vocal folds was found to be a satisfactory surgical treatment for bilateral vocal cord paralysis in adduction. However, further research is still needed to define the surgical procedure able to balance respiratory, phonatory and sphincteric functions optimally. Received: 26 September 1998 / Accepted: 25 February 1999     

Changes of sleep-disordered breathing after laryngeal surgery in patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis

Snoring is the most obvious symptom of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Vibratory sound usually originates from the pharynx; however, in some circumstances, the narrowing of glottic structures can also cause nighttime breathing noise. This clinical study investigated the role of laryngeal obstruction in patients with SDB. Nine female patients with paralysis of bilateral vocal folds were enrolled in this study. All the patients received unilateral laser arytenoidectomy as the only treatment. Nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) was performed at baseline and 6 months after the operation. Parameters of PSG including the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and snoring index (SI) were recorded, as well as the subjective Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Before surgery, six patients (66.6%) were identified as having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, RDI>5). After the operation, the SI improved significantly (P=0.02). The RDI (P=0.07) and ESS (P=0.11) showed no significant improvement. The success rate of surgery in OSA patients was 66% (4/6) according to the criteria of a greater than 50% reduction of the preoperative RDI and less than 20 events per hour. The mechanism, outcomes and causes of failure are discussed in this unusual larynx-related SDB.     

The influence of laser arytenoidectomy on ventilation parameters in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a symptom that may lead to serious breathing problems. The treatment of patients with vocal cord paralysis presents a challenge to otolaryngologists. Many techniques have been developed in an attempt to improve the patient's airway insufficiency. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the laser total unilateral arytenoidectomy with posterior cordectomy in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Thrity-six patients (33 females, 3 male) aged between 24 and 76 (mean 52) were treated by laser arytenoidectomy. The flow-volume loop and pletysmography were performed in all patients before and after the operation. Additionally, a group of 15 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis was introduced and analyzed as a special control. Based on the relative increase of the parameters after the surgery, the most useful of them were selected for the evaluation. Also, the character of the laryngeal obstruction was defined. Changes in the flow-volume loop before and after surgery were compared by planned comparison in univariate analysis ANOVA/MANOVA with an isolated control group. As the parameters AREA(EX), FEF50, FEF75, PEF and MMEF(75/25) increased most effectively, they appeared to be the most useful in the evaluation. FIV1/FEF1, FEF50/FIF50 and FEV1/FEV(0,5) allowed the definition of the obstruction as an extrathoracic dynamically variable quantity. The resistances measured during pletysmography diminished significantly after surgery. The introduction of the special control group with unilateral vocal cord paralysis showed that despite the significant improvement after surgery, the patients who had been operated on still had a laryngeal obstruction worse than that of patients from the control group. The laser arytenoidectomy is shown to be a useful and efficacious procedure for bilateral vocal cord paralysis.     

Surgery for pediatric vocal cord paralysis: a retrospective review

To determine the outcome of surgical procedures for bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children, we performed a retrospective review of children under 18 years of age with bilateral vocal cord paralysis and a previous tracheotomy who underwent a primary procedure at a single tertiary care institution with an aim of decannulation. The primary outcome measure was the operation-specific decannulation rate (OSDR). The overall decannulation rates, as well as morbidity rates, were also recorded. Fifty-two children met the inclusion criteria (mean age at time of primary surgery, 6.2 years; SD, 5 years). Vocal cord lateralization procedures combined with a partial arytenoidectomy achieved the highest OSDR (17/24 or 71%). This OSDR was statistically higher than the OSDRs for CO2 laser cordotomy or arytenoidectomy procedures (OSDR, 5/17 or 29%, p = .008), for isolated arytenoidopexy procedures (OSDR, 1/4 or 25%, p = .000004), or for posterior costal cartilage graft procedures (OSDR, 3/5 or 60%, p = .0004). Neither of the 2 children who underwent isolated arytenoidectomy achieved primary decannulation. The incidence of aspiration following posterior cartilage graft procedures was 15% (2/15). Subanalysis by age failed to reveal differences in OSDR. We conclude that vocal cord lateralization procedures with partial arytenoidectomy afford the highest OSDR among primary procedures for pediatric vocal cord paralysis. The CO2 laser procedures, while having limited success as a primary procedure, are effective for revision.     

Evaluation of the lung function test in reversible glottis-dilating operations

Our aim was to obtain an objective evaluation of the airway before and after reversible glottis-dilating operations using the lung function test. Bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis remains mostly a complication of thyroid surgery. After thyroid surgery, the paralysis is potentially reversible, and the patient has a chance for recovery mostly in the first 6 months. According to these considerations, a reversible vocal cord laterofixation procedure was used instead of tracheostomy. The operations were performed endoscopically using high-frequency JET ventilation and the special endo-extralaryngeal suture technique by Lichtenberger. This technique was used in 92 cases. The pre- and postoperative data of reversible glottis-dilating techniques could be compared in 23 non-selected patients. Lung function tests that were performed were forced inspiratory volume (FIV1), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), peak inspiratory flow rate (PIF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and resistance of the airways (Raw). For the evaluation of the functional results, we used the body-pletysmograph. Our aim was to obtain a quantitative evaluation of the results. These values allow us to compare the results achieved by using different glottis-dilating methods. The FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) improved 25%, and the FIV1 (forced inspiratory volume) improved 39% after the operations on average. PEF (peak expiratory flow rate) and PIF (peak inspiratory flow rate) improved 37 and 45% after glottis-dilating surgery on average. The Raw (resistence of airways) was 271.5% on average before the operations, and after reversible glottis-dilating operations decreased to a level of 200.6%.This paper was presented at the 4th ELS Congress in Brussels on 5–7 September 2002.     

支撑喉镜下CO2激光杓状软骨切除术治疗双声带外展麻痹

目的　探讨支撑喉镜下CO2 激光显微杓状软骨切除术治疗双声带外展麻痹的手术方法、疗效和适应证。方法　 1994～ 1998年收治双声带外展麻痹患者 8例 ,其中 3例曾在外院经颈外进路手术失败 ,全部术前行气管切开术。参照并改良Ossoff窥镜下杓状软骨切除术 ,汽化杓状软骨前部 ,包括声带突和部分肌突 ,一小部分室带及声带后端 ,保留粘软骨膜并缝合切口 ,以消灭创面 ,双侧分次手术。结果　术后无肉芽滋生 ,无误吸 ,保留发音功能。 5例拔管 ,2例日间堵管、因睡眠时喉鸣未予拔管 ,1例等待对侧手术。随诊 6个月～ 3 5年。结论　本方式弥补了单纯窥镜及外科手术不足 ,如粘膜出血、水肿、操作困难等 ,而具备显微外科精细、准确的特点。术后反应轻微 ,保留发音功能。并可作为杓状软骨切除术或神经再支配手术失败后的补充手术     

Evaluation and treatment of vocal cord paralysis

One hundred eighty-one patients with unilateral or bilateral vocal cord paralysis unrelated to laryngeal carcinoma or its therapy were studied. The orderly diagnostic profile used to delineate cause of the paralysis includes CBC, VDRL blood sugar profile, latex fixation and serum sampling for toxic heavy metals. The radiologic and endoscopic evaluation is done to completion unless contraindicated, to assess aspiration as well as to observe laryngopharyngeal structures which may cause the paralysis. This evaluative profile defined the etiology of cord paralysis in 80 percent of patients, despite exclusion of viral disease as a cause subsequent to upper respiratory infection. Blunt trauma and previous neck surgery each were responsible for 23 percent of the cases. Fifty-four patients had bilateral paralysis of which 22 were post thyroidectomy. Surgical repair for cord paralysis was symptomatic, and included 28 successful teflon injected cords. Recurrent laryngeal nerve decompression was successful in four of five operations and arytenoidectomy was performed in 39 patients.     

Diode laser surgery in the endoscopic treatment of laryngeal paralysis

Several surgical procedures have been proposed for the treatment of respiratory distress secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis. The aim of all surgical techniques used is to restore a glottic lumen sufficient to guarantee adequate breathing through the natural airway, without tracheotomy and preserving an acceptable phonatory quality. In this study we present our experience from 1998 to 2004 concerning the use of the diode contact laser for a modified Dennis-Kashima posterior endoscopic cordectomy (extended to the false homolateral chord in 3 cases and to the homolateral arytenoid vocal process in 6 cases). 18 patients (15 male, 3 female) were treated; the age range was 35-84 years. The etiology of paralysis varied: iatrogenic post-thyroidectomy and post-thoracic surgery in 5 cases (28%), post-traumatic in 2 cases (11%), secondary to a central lesion in 11 (61%). The operation was carried out with a diode contact laser (60W; 810 nm). Follow-up was 20 months. Dyspnea improved in all patients; the 9 tracheostomized patients were decannulated within 2 months after surgery. Final voice quality was subjectively good in 16 patients (88%). None of patients had any complications after surgery. In conclusion, the endoscopic posterior cordectomy performed by contact diode laser is an effective and reliable method for the treatment of dyspnea secondary to bilateral laryngeal paralysis, guaranteing a sufficient airway without impairing swallowing and maintaining acceptable voice quality.