Vocal cord paralysis--1979: etiology and management.

Because of the development of reinnervation surgery, approximately 400 patients have been seen by the author with a referral diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis. Because these patients were being entered into a research protocol to evaluate the efficacy of reinnervation surgery, very careful evaluation and records have been kept. Retrospective analysis of these records has permitted an up-to-date evaluation of the epidemiology, natural history, symptoms, signs and presenting complaints, as well as the status of treatment of vocal cord paralysis at the present time. Since this subject has received only limited treatment in the recent literature, it was felt that such an opportunity to evaluate a large personal experience might be a worthwhile addition to current knowledge of the subject.