Thyroplasty by external approach with silastic prosthesis in the treatment of laryngeal paralysis

From August 1995 to January 1997 8 phonosurgical procedures were performed to correct glottal incompetence. There were 4 men and 4 women, the median age was 42 years. The most common indication for thyroplasty was recurrent or vagal nerve injury (6/8 cases). In 7 cases the paralyzed vocal cord was unilateral and in 1 case bilateral after oesophagectomy. Two patients were previously treated by endoscopic injection without success. The procedure was conducted under general anaesthesia. A window in the thyroid ala was created and silastic implant inserted. This technique was indicated to correct large glottal incompetence or in case of failure after endoscopic treatment. There have been no complications. Improvement of post operative voice was noted. The maximum phonation duration, intensity and objective voice measurements were improved in all cases.