[Ansa cervicalis to the adductor division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis for unilateral vocal cord paralysis].

The main trunk of ansa cervicalis was anastomosed to the adductor division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in seven patients to reinnvervate the vocal cord for unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Although the reinnervated vocal cord neither abducted nor adducted, it presented itself in midline for precise apposition with the nonparalyzed cord. Normal phonatory quality was achieved after the procedure. Electroacoustic analysis indicated that this technique might produce normal phonatory function in paralyzed larynx. Laryngeal electromyography demonstrated that the procedure seemed to induce satisfactory reinnervation of the adductor musculature. Therefore, we think this technique may be recommended as an alternative to Teflon injection or thyroplasty in selected cases.