Aim: 7o maluate the efficacy of laser arytenoidectomy with posterior cordectomy for the treatment of bilateral abductor paralysis.
Methods: 12 patients with bitateral abductor paralysis after tltyroidectomy were included in the study,. All p_atients were
tracheostomized).. All patients were subjected to full history taking, rigid direct laryngoscopy, and fibroptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy,-
aerodynamic eualuation of ztoice and"floto oolume loop spirometry pre and 6 months postoperatitsely. Laser arytenoidectomy and
posterior cordectomy were done for all patients with local mitomycin application intraoperatiztely.
Results: All patients healed utell with decanulation within 2 weeks with no complications 6 months postoperatioely. Subiectioely, 9
patients (75%) ret:ealed marked improoement and 25% reoealed mild improoement. Objectbely, the flow aolume loop spirogram
'parameters
znere improtsed with the FIFmax to be most irnprooed. Aerodynamic eztaluation of tsoice reoealed no significant deterioration.
'No
granulation tisiue or granuloma, scar formation or aspiration problem roere detected postoperatioely.
Conclusions: We conclude that the laser arytenoidectomy and posterior cordectomy is a useful and efrcacious procedure for the
treatment of bilateral aocal cord paralysis post thyroidectomy. It prooides improttement of the airway enough to decanulate the patients.
Also no obaious t:oice deterioration or subclinical aspiration is liable to occur. Mitomycin application seems to decrease the occurrence
of postoperatiae granulation tissue and granuloma formation. Longer follow up period and more flout rtolume loop spirometry are
flecessflry to haae more significant oalues.