Thyroplasty in the functional rehabilitation of neurotologic skull base surgery patients.

Definitive management of lesions of the lateral cranial base is surgical. Functional outcome is dependent on cranial nerve preservation. In 1988 an effort was made to decrease the incidence of tracheotomy, the duration of hospital stay, and the period prior to unassisted oral intake, by establishing more immediate acquisition of glottic competence through laryngeal rehabilitation. The experience of one author (JLN) in over 40 phonosurgical procedures under local anesthesia is presented. Although tracheotomy provides excellent airway protection, it is accompanied by substantial morbidity. The technique of phonosurgery has dramatically improved recovery and functional outcomes of neurotologic skull base surgery patients, enabling them to realize "cure" rather than "control" of their disease.