Combined surgical medialization and nerve-muscle pedicle reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis: improved functional results and prevention of long-term deterioration of voice.

Including those patients that were the subject of our previous report in 1990 (1) a total of 52 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis have been managed by combined surgical medialization and nerve-muscle pedicle reinnervation. The technique has been modified only slightly since 1985, when the first such surgery was performed. Short- and long-term voice results determined by a panel of sophisticated listeners are reported, as well as details of patient selection and complications. Better functional results were noted than were observed with surgical medialization alone, and long-term deterioration of the voice improvement initially achieved was prevented with this technique.