Early experiences with vocal ligament tightening.

Loss of tension of the thyroarytenoid ligament is seen in elderly patients, in patients with chronic voice strain, and in patients who have had intubation trauma or laryngeal crush trauma. A tightening of the ligament by mobilizing a midline strip of the thyroid cartilage and advancing the upper end of this strip is described. The early results are encouraging; long-term results in older patients are not really known at this time.