Emergency endoscopic vocal cord lateralization as an alternative to tracheotomy for patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis

This study aimed at evaluating the results of emergent endoscopic permanent vocal cord lateralization instead of tracheotomy in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis who were admitted to the emergency service. Retrospective analysis was done of 13 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis admitted to emergency service with severe dyspnea. Patient information, paralysis etiology, operation times and follow-up data were reviewed. All 13 patients who underwent this procedure were females and the ages were ranging from 38 to 69 (average 52). Bilateral vocal cord paralysis was a result of thyroid surgery in all. Thyroid surgery was performed 8 months to 10 years (mean 41 months) before being admitted to the emergency service. The duration of procedure from intubation to closing skin incision ranged from 20 to 50 min (average 34 min). Patients were followed for a duration of 3 months to 10 years (average 24 months). In 12 of the patients adequate glottis chink was obtained and recovery from general anesthesia was uneventful without a need for tracheotomy. In one case, catheter placement was done with difficulty and a tracheotomy was performed as a temporary measure. Endoscopic vocal cord lateralization with submucosal cordectomy is a reliable alternative to tracheotomy even in emergency conditions for bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis. Adequate air can be obtained in majority of cases and long term patency is satisfactory.