[Role of type I thyroplasty in the treatment of unilateral laryngeal paralysis. Apropos of 19 cases].

Authors report an analysis of different vocal parameters of 19 patients operated of type I thyroplasty. Thyroplasty was performed in conjunction with cervical surgery mandating vagal nerve section in 12 cases and for unilateral vocal paralysis in 7 cases. No post-surgical complications were observed. Sixteen patients (84%) had satisfactory voice although 15 cases (79%) presented residual glottic gap. Computer-assisted vocal evaluation was performed on 6 patients following surgery. It recorded normal vocal pitch and intensity values. In 5 patients, however, phonatory oral air-flow remained abnormal. These early results are discussed and compared to others studies reported in literature. Technical aspects as well as indications of thyroplasty are discussed.