Partial arytenoidectomy with transoral vocal fold lateralisation in treating airway obstruction secondary to bilateral vocal fold immobility.

ObjectiveTo report the outcome of 18 patients with a tracheostomy secondary to bilateral vocal fold immobility, who were managed using reconstructive transoral laser microsurgical techniques. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of the surgical outcome of 18 patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility and a tracheostomy resulting from different aetiologies. Follow-up duration ranged from one to five years. ResultsA total of 18 patients had a tracheostomy at presentation because of bilateral true vocal fold immobility and stridor. All cases were treated using reconstructive transoral laser microsurgery with arytenoidectomy and vocal fold lateralisation. All patients were successfully decannulated by eight weeks after surgery. ConclusionReconstructive transoral laser microsurgery using partial arytenoidectomy with vocal fold lateralisation is minimally invasive, feasible, safe and effective for airway reconstruction in patients who present with stridor due to bilateral true vocal fold immobility.