Medialization thyroplasty for cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Mar;136(3):440-4. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2006.11.009.

Abstract

Objective: To justify the application of medialization thyroplasty in Chinese patients with symptomatic cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).

Study design and setting: Retrospective chart review from February 2000 to March 2006.

Results: Eighty-seven Chinese patients undergoing medialization thyroplasty for UVFP were included; there were no significant differences between the cancer-related and benign groups in terms of the speech and swallowing rehabilitation outcome and the perioperative complication rate (P > 0.05). The median survival time of cancer-related UVFP patients from the date of medialization to death was 129 days. Age more than 65 years was identified as the only factor for a shorter survival period after medialization (P = 0.040).

Conclusion: Medialization thyroplasty restores satisfactory speech and swallowing and has a low perioperative complication rate in Chinese patients with cancer-related UVFP. Postmedialization survival period was also reasonable.

Significance: Medialization thyroplasty is a justifiable treatment option for cancer-related UVFP.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Deglutition / physiology
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Nerve Injuries
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Respiratory Aspiration / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Silicones
  • Speech / physiology
  • Survival Rate
  • Thyroid Cartilage / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagus Nerve Injuries
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / etiology
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / surgery*

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Silicones
  • baysilon
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene