EFFECTS OF ARYTENOID ADDUCTION ON LARYNGEAL FUNCTION FOLLOWING ANSA CERVICALIS NERVE TRANSFER FOR VOCAL FOLD PARALYSIS IN AN IN-VIVO CANINEMODEL

Laryngeal reinnervation with the ansa cervicalis has been proposed as a treatment for human unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). This stu dy tested the assumption that results from reinnervation could be impr oved if combined with medialization surgery. Six canine subjects under went recurrent laryngeal nerve section and reinnervation with a branch of the ansa cervicalis. After reinnervation, vocal function was asses sed before and after arytenoid adduction. Although laryngeal function im proved significantly following reinnervation, results were signific antly enhanced by the addition of medialization surgery. The implicati ons for the treatment of human unilateral vocal fold paralysis are dis cussed.