Objective: This study aims at analyzing medical and surgical management as well as long-term follow-up of newborn (n=8) suffering from bilateral vocal cord paralysis.
Methods: This retrospective study reports information regarding pregnancy and birth history, family history, initial and delayed clinical features, treatment and follow-up of these infants. The following laryngeal procedures have been performed: Laser cordectomy (n=3), arytenoidopexy by external approach (n=2), botulinum toxin injection alone or associated with surgical treatments (n=6), enlargement laryngoplasty (n=1), endolaryngeal prostheses insertion (n=2).
Results: Any spontaneous recovery has been noticed. Four patients experiencing swallowing disorders required a gastrostomy in proportion to neurologic diseases and association of anomalies. Electromyograms performed were unremarkable. Botulinum toxin injected alone in laryngeal adductor muscles was not effective. The best results were observed when both arytenoidopexy and botulinum toxin injection were carried out. Bilateral cordectomies have been disappointing because of persistent vocal cord adduction.
Conclusion: The low probability of spontaneous recovery and the drawbacks of tracheotomy encourage us to perform vocal cords adduction procedures as soon as possible.