Hospitalized Patients With New-Onset Vocal Fold Immobility Warrant Inpatient Injection Laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of early inpatient bedside injection laryngoplasty (IL) in hospitalized patients with iatrogenic unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

A retrospective review of hospitalized patients with iatrogenic UVFI undergoing IL between September 2013 and June 2017 was performed. Patients had a swallow evaluation by a speech-language pathologist and bedside IL. Evaluated outcomes included swallow scores, return to diet, secondary events/procedures, and hospital length of stay. Outcomes related to etiology of UVFI were also examined.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 90 patients (61% male, 52% after cardiac/cardiothoracic surgery). Seventy-seven percent of all patients who could improve had increased swallow scores after IL. The lowest number (40%) from the subgroup of patients with high vagal injuries as the cause of UVFI obtained improvement in swallow scores, whereas 87% of those in the cardiac surgery group improved. There were more bronchoscopies and reintubations in patients before IL than after IL.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalized patients with UVFI are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to dysphagia. We advocate for early swallow evaluation and intervention with IL if there is dysphagia and risk of aspiration. Coordination of care between interdisciplinary teams is paramount to a successful inpatient IL program.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2b Laryngoscope, 131:115-120, 2021.