Use of laryngeal muscular tenotomy for bilateral midline vocal cord fixation.

As experience has increased in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord fixation, a significant and fundamental refinement in the concept of repair has evolved. By the use of selective tenotomy of the interarytenoid and thyroarytenoid muscles, the arytenoid and the vocal cord can be made to move away from the midline and thus open the glottis. This has allowed a drastic reduction in the amount of arytenoid that must be removed and prevents both aspiration and arthritis of the joint with subsequent stiffness. The procedure can be performed as an endoscopic or microscopic open procedure. All eight patients treated by this method have been decannulated by 6 weeks postoperation, have returned to full function, have not had aspiration, and have no worsening of their voices. The use of this concept and technique has led to a relatively safe and reliable method of rehabilitating patients with bilateral midline vocal cord paralysis.