EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF THE UNILATERAL PARALYZED VOCAL FOLD

The evaluation and treatment of patients with unilateral vocal ford pa ralysis have evolved as improvements in objective measurements of phon atory function and new modalities for treatment have developed. A thor ough history, physical examination, subjective voice evaluation, objec tive voice analysis, and electromyography are used to make a diagnosis , determine the cause, and plan treatment. The goal of treatment of th e patient with a unilateral vocal fold paralysis is to restore normal phonatory function without aspiration. Multiple modalities have develo ped to allow for restoration of nearly normal phonatory function, and these include voice therapy alone or in combination with injection med ialization, laryngoplastic phonosurgery, or laryngeal reinnervation. O tolaryngologists should be familiar with the incidence, cause, evaluat ion, and state-of-the-art treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis to optimize patient care and avoid suboptimal results often seen with antiquated or inappropriate treatment.