Nerve transfer versus teflon® injection for vocal cord paralysis: A comparison

Abstract

Teflon injection for unilateral vocal cord paralysis frequently produces an improved yet breathy voice. Ansa hypoglossi-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis has been performed in five patients. In the four patients discussed in this paper, excellent phonatory quality has been achieved. Electroacoustic analysis indicates that this technique may produce normal phonatory function in paralyzed larynges. There have been no serious side effects or complications in our first five patients. Denervation of the sternothyroid muscle, which results from sectioning its nerve in preparation for suture to the RLN, appears to further improve the voice by medially positioning the vocal cord. Gelfoam paste is injected at the time of nerve transfer to rehabilitate the voice during the 2 months required for nerve regeneration. For younger patients, or those with professional use of their voices, this technique offers superior speech results when compared with Teflon injection.

Ansa-RLN reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis in adolescents and young adults

“…The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques continue to be actively debated. Unfortunately, there are very few direct comparisons in outcomes between these various techniques [9][10][11][12][13]. Therefore, the otolaryngologist must base treatment decisions on experience and judgment of the advantages and disadvantages of the different procedures.…”

Experimental Study on Reinnervation of Vocal Cord Adductors With the Ansa Cervicalis

“…The end‐to‐end anastomosis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) 4 ; 2. The ansa cervicalis nerve neuromuscular pedicle technique and anastomosis to the RLN or its adductor branch 5‐9 ; or 3. Anastomosis of the external superior laryngeal nerve (SLNE) to the adductor branch of the RLN 5,10 .…”

Rare case of double looped ansa cervicalis associated with its deep position in the carotid triangle of the neck

“…have recommended the AC branch to the sternothyroid because this branch is located very near to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. [8] In addition to this, the AC is also useful in the treatment of hemiatrophy of tongue after facial-hypoglossal anastomosis. [910]…”