Thyroplasty type I with ceramic shim.

To improve hoarseness or misswallowing caused by unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, medialization of paralyzed vocal cord has frequently been performed. This method includes such techniques as injection method, insertion method, and arytenoid adduction, each presenting its merits and demerits. The insertion method which can be done while monitoring the patient's voice seems advantageous in that the technique is easy to perform and generally guarantees the voice improvement. Among insertion methods, Isshiki thyroplasty type I is the one most representative as well as popularized. However, since a silicone shim is inserted in this operation, it may be accompanied by the risks of carcinogenicity, foreign body reaction, and induction of collagen disease of silicone. Therefore we planned to use a ceramic as a safe substitute instead of silicone. There has been no article reporting the use of ceramic in this type of surgery. We used a fibrin glue to fix the ceramic shim and for hemostasis, which was found very useful. Hitherto, 2 cases of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis underwent Isshiki thyroplasty type I using ceramic shim with satisfactory results.