Correction of the Traumatically Abducted Vocal Cord

Abstract

Patients with traumatically abducted, often atrophic vocal cords may present with a weak, aphonic voice. Intracordal injections of polytef (Teflon) are usually not satisfactory. The most favorable method to improve the voice is to implant a segment of thyroid cartilage at the level of the scarred cord between the inner perichondrium and thyroid cartilage. A method to achieve this end is presented which eliminates the necessity of performing a thyrotomy. Similar grafts may also be insinuated more posteriorly to replace a traumatically absent arytenoid. This will improve both the voice and deglutition.