title: Modified arytenoid adduction for cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To evaluate the efficacy of modified arytenoid adduction in the management of patients with symptomatic cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and (2) to assess the impact of this treatment on patients' quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis underwent modified arytenoid adduction between February 2001 and December 2008. Of these, 37 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study (one patient died of primary disease and four were lost to follow up). Laryngostroboscopy was performed to evaluate vocal fold orientation and mobility. Pre- and post-operative assessment of subjective and objective voice, aerodynamic parameters, and quality of life were also undertaken, and aspiration was subjectively rated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laryngostroboscopic findings indicated a significant post-operative improvement in vocal fold posterior glottal closure and vertical gap. Significant improvements in voice quality, aerodynamic parameters and quality of life were noted three months post-operatively in all patients (p < 0.01). The overall success rate for swallowing rehabilitation was 94.6 per cent (35/37). Subjective aspiration ratings decreased significantly post-operatively, compared with pre-operative values (p < 0.01). No major complication occurred in any patient, except for dyspnoea in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified arytenoid adduction is an effective and reliable medialisation technique which can restore satisfactory voice quality, prevent aspiration and lead to a better quality of life for patients with cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D049489:Stroboscopy; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult