[Laser posterior cordectomy in bilateral vocal cord paralysis].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the functional results of laser posterior cordectomy with respect to respiration, phonation, and deglutition.


METHODS
Unilateral laser posterior cordectomy was performed in nine patients (7 women, 2 men; mean age 56 years; range 46 to 61 years) with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Postoperatively, respiration, deglutition, and phonation were evaluated with the use of an exercise tolerance scale, the Pearson scale, and wavelet analysis, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 14.2 months.


RESULTS
Respiration was satisfactory in eight patients. Of these, four patients had excellent, and four patients had good exercise tolerance. The procedure resulted in success without tracheotomy in four patients. No deglutition or aspiration problems developed. Of eight patients with satisfactory respiration, voice quality remained unchanged in six patients, whereas an improved voice quality was noted in two patients who received postoperative phoniatric rehabilitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser posterior cordectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis resolves respiration problems, it restores phonation and deglutition functions, as well.
Bilgen
Cem
C
Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Ege University, 35220, Izmir, Turkey. cembilgen@hotmail.com
Kirazli
Tayfun
T
Oğüt
Fatih
F
D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012119:Respiration; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*