Objective: To assess the results of endoscopic laser surgery in cases of bilateral abductor palsy on basis of respiration, preservation of voice (phonation) and swallowing.
Methods: This retrospective study includes 48 patients (34 males and 14 females) from 5 years to 68 years of age at the time of intervention. 41 cases were operated with subtotal arytenoidectomy and 7 with unilateral posterior cordectomy. 32 patients were operated with tracheostomy and 16 with combination of intuabtion and jet ventilation.
Results: 29 out of 32 tracheostomised patients were decannulated (91%). Respiration was adequate for daily routine activities in most of the operated patients. Phonation was normal to near normal in 32 cases out of the operated 34 adult patients (95%). Most of the patients had normal swallowing following surgery.
Conclusion: Subtotal arytenoidectomy with endoscopic laser surgery in cases of bilateral abductor paralysis has established its place as a preferred surgical method to obtain good respiration, phonation and swallowing. It minimizes the surgical time, hospital stay and morbidity.
Keywords: Airway obstruction; Bilateral vocal cord paresis; Laser surgery; Vocal cord palsy; Vocal cord paralysis; Voice quality.