Medialisation Laryngoplasty to Treat Vocal Fold Paralysis and Glottal Defects

Laryngoplasty for medialisation of the vocal fold in unilateral paresis or glottal defect have proven to be a reliable treatment. Thyroplasty as the most common treatment has established and is supported by wide experience. Through a window the vocal fold is medialised by means of autologous cartilage or external implants such as titanium or Gore-Tex. In cases of pronounced lateral position of the vocal fold, the additional arytenoid adduction may be successful in closing the cartilaginous part of the glottis. The indication for laryngoplasty must not be reduced to the videolaryngoscopy only. On the contrary multi-dimensional voice diagnostics have to be done before the intervention. Depending on the extent of the glottal gap a stepwise treatment begins with voice therapy, then injection laryngoplasty and as the last step external laryngoplasty. © 2018 Georg Thieme Verlag KG, Stuttgart New York.