title: Suture laterofixation of the vocal fold for bilateral vocal fold immobility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the recent published literature on the subject of suture laterofixation for bilateral vocal fold immobility, to evaluate outcomes, and to assess advances and modifications of the procedure during the review period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suture laterofixation offers potential benefits over other surgical procedures employed in the treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility. The procedure is potentially reversible, avoids long-term consequences of ablative procedures such as arytenoidectomy, and can be accomplished under jet ventilation without the need for tracheostomy. Modifications to the technique such as increasing suture size and utilizing a dual suture technique may decrease the risk of injury to the vocal fold mucosa. The advantages of suture laterofixation have argued for closer scrutiny as a potential treatment for pediatric patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suture laterofixation is an important option in the treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility. Laryngologists should be aware of the potential advantages over other procedures, particularly those that necessitate surgical ablation of the arytenoid or vocal fold.
authors: Division of Laryngeal Surgery, Department of Otolarynology/Head and Neck Surgery Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California 94305, USA. edamrose@ohns.stanford.edu
authors: Edward J
authors: EJ
authors: Damrose
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery