Carbon dioxide laser management of ventricular dysphonia

Resection of the ventricular folds of the larynx was done, with the aid of a carbon dioxide laser, on seven patients who had either an essential or a symptomatic ventricular dysphonia. The initial results were very encouraging, but the ventricular dysphonia recurred in two patients. A problematic case history is summarized, exemplifying difficulties in choosing the right patients for surgery.