Endoscopic arytenoid repositioning for unilateral arytenoid fixation.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new endoscopic technique for medialization of the laterally fixed arytenoid. The surgical technique, endoscopic arytenoid repositioning, is described, and the results of a series of cases are discussed.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Eight patients underwent the procedure. Six patients were available for long-term follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative voice ratings were compared to evaluate the success of the procedure. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 64 months (mean follow-up, 31.5 mo).


RESULTS
Long-term follow-up in six cases revealed that 67% (4 of 6) patients had normal or near-normal postoperative voices and one patient experienced moderate improvement. The mean preoperative voice score was 4.24, and the mean postoperative voice score was 1.83 (range, 1-5). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic arytenoid repositioning is a newly described procedure with a very specific indication: a unilateral, laterally fixed arytenoid complex resulting in a severely dysphonic voice. Though technically demanding, this procedure provides a promising option for medialization of the posterior glottis in a scarred larynx.
Amin
M R
MR
Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19103, USA.
Koufman
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005931:Glottis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery; D014831:Voice / Q000502:physiology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology