VOCAL CORD PALSY IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE - A REVIEW OF 71 CASES

Over 20 yr 71 cases of vocal cord palsy were seen at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto Ontario, Canada. Forty-four percent of the cases had a bilateral vocal cord palsy. The etiology, manaagement and outcome of all cases are reviewed. Of the acquired vocal cord palsies, 64% recovered spontaneously. Only 29% of the congenital vocal cord palsies recovered spontaneously. An important consideration in the management of children with vocal cord palsy is the possibility of late spontaneous recovery or compensation. There should be no hurry to perform surgical procedures to permanently lateralize the vocal cords or arytenoids.