Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle denervation.

Vocal fold paralysis most commonly results from injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The length of time required for denervation atrophy would be useful in planning reinnervation procedures. Given the absence of long-term data on the status of the canine posterior cricoarytenoid muscle following denervation, this study was undertaken. The results indicate that muscle atrophy does not occur for at least 1 year following denervation.