Results of ansa to recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the results of ansa cervicalis to recurrent laryngeal nerve (ansa-RLN) reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. STUDY DESIGN: A chart review was performed on patients undergoing ansa-RLN reinnervation for unilateral vocal cord paralysis at a tertiary care center. Patient perceptions of preoperative and postoperative voice quality was surveyed. Acoustic and visual parameters were assessed from videostroboscopy. RESULTS: From a total of 25 study patients, 15 patients underwent both preoperative and postoperativ video stroboscopies. In stroboscopies within 6 months, the average improvement in overall severity, roughness, and breathiness was 69, 79, and 100 percent, respectively. In stroboscopies after 6 months, the average improvement in overall severity, roughness, and breathiness was 63, 66, and 100 percent, respectively. Postoperatively, all patients had reinnervation of the vocal fold. CONCLUSIONS: Voice outcomes were improved in patients with preoperative and postoperative stroboscopies. SIGNIFICANCE: Ansa-RLN reinnervation should be considered as a treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. (c) 2007 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.