[The surgical dilation of glottic rima with laser surgery in paralysis dysphonia].

UNLABELLED: Vocal cord paralysis, a complication after strumectomy, affects about 1% of treated patients. Patients with unilateral paralysis are usually treated with foniatric and conservative therapy. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis with the paramedial placement of vocal folds usually requires surgical treatment. Trachoetomy is often done because of dyspnoe. The surgical procedures widening of glottis are performed in case no improvement after conservative therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 1989 Denis and Kashima first described the method of CO2 laser posterior cordectomy This method seems to be an effective and reliable surgical procedure. 36 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis underwent CO2 laser posterior cordectomy The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 36 months. All patients were decannulated by the third day after surgery.

RESULT: The subjective evaluation of patients concerning treatment was satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The operation resulted in significant improvement in the field of respiratory function of the larynx and a slight objective aggrevation in the quality of voice.