Current therapeutic prospectives in the functional rehabilitation of vocal fold paralysis after thyroidectomy: CO2 laser aritenoidectomy

A frequent complication of thyroid surgery is laryngeal nerve palsy with transitory or permanent deficiency of cordal motility. Peripheral mono-or bilateral palsy in these cases may either occur, in adduction or abduction, and be complete or not complete. Bilateral vocal cords paralysis cause a persistent dyspnoic symptomatology with worsening during physical exercise or flogistic episodes of the upper airway: true vocal cords adduction, in median or paramedian position reduce the glottic space and increases respiratory resistances. Several surgical procedures have been proposed for the treatment of respiratory distress secondary to bilateral cord palsy. The aim of this study is to value the role of CO2 laser aritenoidectomy in 93 patients affected by bilateral paralysis in adduction of true vocal cords. Pre and postoperative evaluations included clinical results, spirometry, aerodynamics studies and evaluation of foniatric performance (MPT, H/N Ratio, Jitter and Shimmer) with a mean follow-up of 12 years. CO2 laser aritenoidectomy induces a complete resolution of respiratory failure, maintaining a good vocal quality, minimum surgical stress with low percentage of complications and a short hospitalization.