[Acupuncture in the combined treatment of patients with unilateral paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve].

Fourteen patients with unilateral paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve underwent a combined therapy which included acupuncture, phonopedics, respiratory muscle gymnastics, prozerin administration by means of sinusoidal modulated currents, and intramuscular injection of B1 and B6 vitamins. Before and after treatment the vocal function was assessed using indirect laryngoscopy, laryngostroboscopy, larynx tomography and thermography, larynx endophotography, voice tape recording, and maximum phonation time measurement. The combined treatment yielded good results in all patients in terms of the recovery of their vocal function. In 11 patients the recovery was reached within 2-3 weeks and in 3 remaining patients within 2-3 months. It is maintained that the recovery was expedited due to the beneficial effect of acupuncture and phonopedics.