title: Voice outcome following acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed voice outcomes following unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of 72 patients with UVFP proven by laryngeal electromyography, including their Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) scores at presentation and at the study end point (at the return of vocal fold motion or before the decision regarding definitive treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average VHI-10 score on presentation was 26.9 of 40 (27.2 for patients who recovered motion and 26.7 for those who did not; p = 0.847). A recovery of vocal fold motion was experienced by 35% of patients, and 76.4% of patients underwent temporary vocal fold injection. For the patients who recovered motion, the average changes in VHI-10 score were -22.3 for those with injection and -11.4 for those without (p = 0.027). For patients without motion recovery, the average changes in VHI-10 score were -9.5 for those with injection and -0.8 for those without (p = 0.027). At the study end point, 84% of patients with return of motion had normal VHI-10 scores, in contrast to 21% of patients without motion recovery (p = 0.0009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A return of vocal fold motion is a vital determinant of voice outcome in patients with UVFP. However, despite recovery of vocal fold motion, 16% of patients in this study still had significant voice handicap. In contrast, 21% of patients without motion recovery had normal VHI-10 scores. This information can be used to counsel patients on voice outcome (precluding permanent treatment) with and without recovery of motion. There may be long-term voice benefit from early temporary vocal fold injection.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA.
authors.forename: VyVy N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Libby J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Clark
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D058753:Laryngoplasty; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014831:Voice; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055675:Viscosupplements