title: Intermediate results of 306 recurrent laryngeal nerve sections for spastic dysphonia.
abstract: Recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia was first performed in 1975 because prior forms of treatment had failed. Virtually every patient has had a detailed postoperative follow-up which includes a tape recording and a self-assessment questionnaire. The majority of patients remain free of spasticity at this medium-term follow-up. In some, spasticity recurred with less than preoperative severity. A small percentage of patients have a persistent breathy phonation. The first group is treated with vocal fold lateralization procedure using the CO2 laser; the second, with Teflon. When needed, voice therapy is also given. This paper provides a basis for diagnosis, indications for surgery, primary and secondary surgical techniques, encountered problems, and medium-term follow-up results.
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording; D013997:Time Factors; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene