LUXATION OF THE CRICOARYTENOID JOINT - DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Background: Laryngeal joint injury or cricoarytenoid dislocation is a relatively rare laryngologic finding, according to the international m edical literature. It may occur as a result of external neck trauma or more frequently as a result of intubation. Chief symptoms are hoarsen ess, Vocal fatigue, and loss of voice control. Patients: Between 1993 and 1997 we diagnosed an arytenoid dislocation in 2 female and 5 male patients, in every case the etiology was an intubation trauma. Videola ryngoscopic recording was the most useful aid in diagnosis. Results: S ix patients were treated with closed reduction surgery between 8 and 4 9 days after dislocations. Normal voice was restored in four patients, and in one patient as late as 49 days after the dislocation. One pati ent had an additional recurrent nerve paralysis. Conclusions: Our resu lts suggest that a dosed reduction of the arytenoid luxation can be su ccessful even several weeks after the injury.