Unilateral CO2 laser cordectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis: a 10-years review

Abstract

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) is an uncommon condition that leads to stridor and airway compromise. The etiology of (BVCP) includes: surgical trauma, malignancies, endotracheal intubation, neurologic disease, and idiopathic causes.1 Most BVCP cases are managed by tracheostomy. Usually surgeons wait for a year or more for the spontaneous recovery of BVCP. Cases that show no recovery require some sort of lateralization procedure such as endoscopic laser posterior cordectomy (introduced by Kashima in late 80s), endoscopic arytenoidectomy, endoscopic arytenoid lateralization, or endoscopic expansion procedure (posterior cricoid split with graft placement) to improve glottic space in order to improve breathing. Our study aimed at reviewing BVCP cases, its etiology, and the type and number of interventions needed for decanulation.