Muscle transposition in the rehabilitation of the paralyzed larynx.

Muscle transposition of the innervated omohyoid muscle into the tendon of the paralyzed posterior cricoarytenoid muscle was studied in a small series of subhuman primates. A similar procedure was described previously by King for treatment of bilateral recurrent nerve injuries. Our studies confirm that this procedure adequately enlarges the airway to allow normal activity without a tracheostomy. Histologic studies appear to show nerve ingrowth occurring at 6 months as in other neuromuscular pedicle procedures. The procedure is easily performed and causes no other muscle denervation.