Phonosurgery: indications and pitfalls.
Twenty-five patients underwent type 1 thyroplasty (external medialization of abducted true vocal cord) during a 2-year period 1986 to 1988) at the University of Iowa. The most common indication for thyroplasty was post-thyroidectomy vocal cord paralysis. Eighteen patients (72%) had either a good or an excellent initial result. Five patients were revised. Postrevision, 21 patients (84%) had achieved either a good or an excellent result. Complications were limited to one case of significant vocal cord edema and another instance of vocal cord hemorrhage. No patient required a tracheotomy. No prosthesis extruded. We feel that phonosurgery has the advantages over traditional Teflon injection of allowing the patient's head to be in a neutral position during the operation; of allowing local anesthesia; of permitting a predictable, graduated end point of the procedure; and of being infinitely adjustable, with preservation of the vocal cord mucosal wave.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.
M D
MD
Maves
B F
BF
McCabe
S
S
Gray
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*