Endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy with ipsilateral posterior cordectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis

ABSTRACT

Thirteen patients bilateral vocal cord paralysis were managed by CO2 surgical laser. The arytenoid cartlage was vaporized down to the cricoid cartilage, and then a 3.5 to mm C shaped wedge of the posterior vocal cord was excised extending 4 mm laterally from the free border of the vocal cord. Upper airway obstruction was successfully relieved in eleven patients. The excision was repeated in two patients on whom tracheostomy was performed increasing the excised part of the cord. Voice quality continues to improve for 6 months to a year postoperatively. Endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy with ipsilateral cordectomy is a reliable technique in relieving airway obstruction and the preservation of good voci quality in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis