Medialization thyroplasty in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Abstract

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is a common condition which has a variable personal and socioeconomic impacts on those affected, patients often present with dysphonia as a major complaint and sometimes aspiration. The most common etiologies usually following neck, thyroid, or chest surgery and idiopathic. There are multiple procedures used for the management of UVFP; injection laryngoplasty (IL), medialization laryngoplasty (ML) with or without arytenoid adduction (AA) and laryngeal reinnervation. Medialization laryngoplasty or type-1 thyroplasty initially described by Isshiki et al. in 1974 which consider now the most frequent used permanent procedure for UVFP by inserting autologous or synthetic material through the window of thyroid cartilage, to enhance vocal fold contact and enhance vibration necessary for phonation, it is necessary to medialize the afflicted vocal fold.