Traction of Lateral Cricoarytenoid Muscle for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Comparison with Isshiki's Original Technique of Arytenoid Adduction

Between 1995 and 1997, we performed Isshiki's original method of arytenoid adduction alone or as an adjunct to type I thyroplasty for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. From 1997 onward, we performed arytenoid adduction by traction of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (Iwamura's method), because it reduces discomfort to the patient and avoids rotation of the thyroid cartilage. Preliminary experiments and surgical procedures involving traction of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle are described. Of 21 patients with a maximum phonation time of less than 9 seconds, 14 underwent type I thyroplasty as an adjunct to our method of arytenoid adduction and 7 underwent arytenoid adduction alone. Sixteen patients (76%) were able after surgery to extend their maximum phonation time beyond 10 seconds; this result compares favorably with the results of Isshiki's original adduction technique. We describe useful anatomic landmarks for approaching the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle in the hope that more voice surgeons will adopt this approach in the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis.