Hoarseness Caused by Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: How Long Should One Delay Phonosurgery?

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica Vol. 123; no. 4; pp. 555 - 556
• Main Authors: Tsunoda, Koichi, Kikkawa, Yayoi Suzuki, Kumada, Masanobu, Higo, Ryusaburo, Tayama, Niro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholm Informa UK Ltd 01.05.2003; Taylor & Francis; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Aged; Autologous Transplantation Of Fascia; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the upper aerodigestive tract; Ent and stomatology; Hoarseness - etiology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Speech Therapy; Time Factors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Vocal Cord Paralysis - complications; Vocal Cord Paralysis - surgery; Motor system disorder; idiopathic vocal cord paralysis; Male; Age 60-69; Surgery; ENT disease; Adult; Complication; Larynx disease; Paralysis; Human; Nervous system diseases; Treatment efficiency; Vocal cord; Hoarseness; Time lag; voice therapy; Case study; phonosurgery; Treatment; Unilateral; Speech; autologous transplantation of fascia; Application method; Combined treatment; Voice
• ISSN: 0001-6489; 1651-2251
• DOI: 10.1080/0036554021000028114

We present a case of idiopathic right vocal fold paralysis which resolved completely 18 months after onset. Instead of using surgery to improve the hoarseness of our patient, our experience suggested that speech therapy might be effective. Although the voice can be improved by overadduction of the healthy vocal fold, as surgery is irreversible it is better to wait for 18 months after onset in case spontaneous recovery occurs. During this period, one should of course continue to investigate the origin of the paralysis.