[Treatment of the unilateral paralysis of vocal fold--comparison between laryngeal framework surgery and reinnervation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of laryngeal framework surgery and reinnervation in the treatment of unilateral paralysis vocal fold. METHODS: Twenty-three cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis were operated with laryngeal framework surgery and reinnervation and the voice assessment, acoustic analysis, laryngoscopy, electromyography were done pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The short and long term curative effects of the laryngeal framework were good, but with regard to long term result, the reinnervation that can recover the thickness, elasticity and tension of vocal fold was better, and the earlier was the operation done, the better would be the result. CONCLUSION: These two operations were both effective in the treatment of unilateral paralysis of vocal fold, but it should be selected according to the requirement of patient, the pattern of damage, the degree of paralysis and movement of cricoarythenoid joint.