European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
-
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Dec 2012
Emergency endoscopic vocal cord lateralization as an alternative to tracheotomy for patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis.
This study aimed at evaluating the results of emergent endoscopic permanent vocal cord lateralization instead of tracheotomy in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis who were admitted to the emergency service. Retrospective analysis was done of 13 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis admitted to emergency service with severe dyspnea. Patient information, paralysis etiology, operation times and follow-up data were reviewed. ⋯ In one case, catheter placement was done with difficulty and a tracheotomy was performed as a temporary measure. Endoscopic vocal cord lateralization with submucosal cordectomy is a reliable alternative to tracheotomy even in emergency conditions for bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis. Adequate air can be obtained in majority of cases and long term patency is satisfactory.