title: CO(2) laser posterior ventriculocordectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis.
abstract: We reviewed our clinical experience between 1991 and 1997 concerning use of the CO(2) laser for posterior ventriculocordectomy (PVC) for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Pre- and postoperative functional evaluation was assessed in a prospective setting. In all, 41 patients (33 females and 8 males) underwent an endoscopic CO(2) laser PVC. Pre- and postoperative pulmonary function tests documented a significant statistical improvement in the parameters considered. Sixteen of 21 previously tracheostomized patients were decannulated within 15 months of operation. In no case was a postoperative tracheostomy required. We found no evidence of subclinical aspiration among our cases. Evaluation of vocal parameters by spectrographic analysis was assessed in 20 patients and revealed a postoperative reduction in voice quality. Laser CO(2) PVC seems to be an effective and reliable surgical procedure that allows for rapid decannulation and gives stable results with a low incidence of revision surgery and functional failures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aluffi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013018:Sound Spectrography / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*; D014833:Voice Quality
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide