ARYTENOID SEPARATION FOR IMPAIRED PEDIATRIC VOCAL FOLD MOBILITY

Impaired vocal fold motion may result from cricoarytenoid joint fixati on, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, or interarytenoid scarring. Tradit ional surgical techniques have focused on lateralization or resection of the arytenoid for airway improvement. This paper discusses 3 cases of bilateral reduced vocal fold motion of neurogenic cause treated wit h posterior cricoid grafting to cause a wider resting position of the vocal folds and arytenoids. Airway improvement occurred in all. The vo ice results have been encouraging. Advantages of this procedure are th at the vocal folds are symmetric, there is no vocal fold or joint scar ring, and the larynx remains a candidate for electrical pacing when th at becomes available. Acoustic and aerodynamic voice results are prese nted. The results should be considered preliminary.