Medialization thyroplasty for cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
To justify the application of medialization thyroplasty in Chinese patients with symptomatic cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review from February 2000 to March 2006.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven Chinese patients undergoing medialization thyroplasty for UVFP were included; there were no significant differences between the cancer-related and benign groups in terms of the speech and swallowing rehabilitation outcome and the perioperative complication rate (P > 0.05). The median survival time of cancer-related UVFP patients from the date of medialization to death was 129 days. Age more than 65 years was identified as the only factor for a shorter survival period after medialization (P = 0.040).


CONCLUSIONS
Medialization thyroplasty restores satisfactory speech and swallowing and has a low perioperative complication rate in Chinese patients with cancer-related UVFP. Postmedialization survival period was also reasonable.


CONCLUSIONS
Medialization thyroplasty is a justifiable treatment option for cancer-related UVFP.
Lam
Paul K Y
PK
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Ho
W K
WK
Ng
Manwa L
ML
Wei
William I
WI
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061224:Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061223:Vagus Nerve Injuries; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene