Surgical alteration of the glottis for treatment of vocal cord paralysis is best deferred as long as there is a reasonable chance for spontaneous recovery. Most authors recommend waiting six to 12 months before surgery. However, the literature provides insufficient data to support this concept. This paper presents a group of patients with a thorough analysis of natural history, and other factors considered in planning surgical therapy.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
TilleyH: Mechanical immobilization of the vocal cords. Br Med J2: 681, 1927.
2.
NewGBChildreyJH: Paralysis of the vocal cords. Arch Otolaryngol16: 143–159, 1932.
3.
SmithABLambertVFWallaceHL: Paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Edinburgh Med J40: 344–354, 1933.
4.
WorkWP: Paralysis and paresis of the vocal cords. Arch Otolaryngol34: 267–280, 1941.
5.
MulliganJ: Prognosis of laryngeal paralysis following thyroidectomy. Arch Otolaryngol35: 732–734, 1942.
