MICROLARYNGOSCOPIC LASER VOCAL FOLD LATERALIZATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF BILATERAL VOCAL FOLD PARALYSIS - TECHNIQUE AND RESULTS

In addition to conventional endoscopic operation procedures for vocal fold lateralisation, laser surgery has been used to perform endolaryngeal arytenoidectomy by individual laryngologists during the past few years. With respect to a regular swallowing function, the endoscopic technique presented in this paper preserves the arytenoid cartilage. Instead, a submucosal cordectomy is performed and the mucosal flap is glued onto the endolaryngeal wound. Tracheostomy is usually not required with this technique. 15 own cases are described, 14 of whom showed a sufficient respiratory result. Indications for endoscopic laser surgery in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis are discussed.