Injection and removal of Teflon for unilateral vocal cord paralysis

Abstract

For over 70 years, reinnervation attempts have been unsuccessful in restoring motion to paralyzed vocal cords, in spite of occasional claims to the contrary. Fortunately, the major defect of unilateral vocal cord paralysis, a soft and breathy voice, can be eliminated if the edge of the paralyzed vocal cord is moved to the midline. This permits the mobile vocal cord to adduct and therefore to vibrate firmly against the edge of the paralyzed vocal cord during phonation, eliminating the air leak between the vocal cords. Teflon injection of the paralyzed vocal cord does this effectively. It is accomplished most easily and reliably via indirect laryngoscopy under local anesthesia, so the effect on the voice can be monitored during the injection. Teflon can be easily removed from the vocal cord via direct laryngoscopy. The disadvantages of trying to medialize the edge of a paralyzed vocal cord via a window in the thyroid cartilage (laryngeal framework surgery) will be discussed.