title: Polydimethylsiloxane Injection Laryngoplasty for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Long-Term Results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the long-term objective, perceptive, and subjective outcomes after endoscopic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) injection laryngoplasty in unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study carried out between January 2008 and January 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of 26 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis who underwent endoscopic injection of PDMS under general anesthesia. A voice evaluation protocol was performed for all patients, which included videolaryngostroboscopy, maximum phonation time, fundamental frequency, analysis of the harmonic structure of the vowel /a/ and the word /aiuole/, Grade of Dysphonia, Instability, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain scale, and Voice Handicap Index. The protocol was performed before surgery, in the immediate postoperative period, and at least 3 years after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 73 months (range 39-119 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The statistical analysis showed a significant improvement (P < 0.01) for all of the objective, perceptive, and subjective parameters by comparison between the preoperative and long-term follow-up data; moreover, no statistically significant difference was found between the postoperative and long-term follow-up data. This indicates that injection laryngoplasty with PDMS guarantees long-lasting effects over time. No complications were reported in our series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injection laryngoplasty with PDMS can be considered to be a minimally invasive and safe technique for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Moreover, it allows very good and stable results to be obtained over time, avoiding repeated treatments and improving the quality of life of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bettini
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: botceci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Busi
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Sauro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malagoli
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Molteni
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trebbi
authors.affiliation: Speech Therapist in Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Luppi
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bergamini
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Presutti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon
keywords: Endoscopic injection laryngoplasty; Injection laryngoplasty; Polydimethylsiloxane; Speech therapy; Vocal fold paralysis