Thyroplasty for unilateral vocal fold paralysis using an adjustable implant in porous titanium.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe a new porous titanium thyroplasty implant that can be adjusted with a screw.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective study of 15 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis undergoing type I thyroplasty under local anaesthesia. Each patient's dysphonia and swallowing disorders were evaluated both objectively and subjectively before and 3 months after thyroplasty.

RESULTS

Speech and swallowing disorders were improved in all the cases, except when the patients were suffering from severe associated neurological disorders (n=3). The postoperative complications were minor including a laryngeal edema treated by corticotherapy per os (n=1) and a superficial cervical haematoma (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

This implant is easy to insert and the results show high tolerance of the biomaterial and above all the improvement of functions comparable to other laryngeal implants.