MEDIAL MICROFLAP FOR EXCISION OF BENIGN VOCAL FOLD LESIONS

The goal of microlaryngeal surgery is to treat the pathology while pre serving or improving vocal function. The medial microflap technique wa s thus developed. An incision is made over or abutting the lesion, whi ch is then dissected from the vocal ligament and overlying mucosa. Sev enteen patients underwent medial microflap excision of their lesions, Postoperative videostroboscopic examinations revealed the presence of mucosal wave and improved glottic closure in 15 of the 17 patients. Ac oustic and perceptual analyses revealed improved voice quality. The me dial technique is a modification of the previously described lateral m icroflap technique. Patients whose stroboscopic examination implies la ck of involvement of the vocal ligament are candidates for this techni que, By identifying normal histologic planes without extensive dissect ion, lesions can be excised with minimal interruption of vibratory mec hanics.