Purpose-Vocal fold medialization laryngoplasty (ML) and laryngeal reinnervation (LR) as treatments for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) were compared in a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial.Methods-Previously untreated patients with UVFP were randomized to undergo either ML or LR. Voice results were compared pre-treatment and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment using perceptual ratings by untrained listeners (RUL), blinded speech pathologist GRBAS scores, and voice-related quality of life (VRQOL) scores. Other secondary data included maximum phonation time (MPT), cepstral analysis, and EMG findings.Results-24 patients from 9 sites completed the study, 12 in each group. There were no significant intergroup differences in pre-treatment variables. At 12 months, both study groups showed significant improvement in RUL, GRBAS and VRQOL scores, but no significant differences were found between the two groups. However, patient age significantly affected the LR, but not the ML, group results. The age<52 LR subgroup had significantly (p<0.05) better scores than the age>52 LR subgroup, and had better RUL and GRBAS scores than the age<52 ML subgroup. The age>52 ML subgroup results were significantly better than the age>52 LR subgroup. The secondary data generally followed the primary data, except that the MPTs for the ML patients were significantly longer than for the LR patients.Conclusion-ML and LR are both effective surgical options for patients with UVFP. Laryngeal reinnervation should be considered in younger patients, while medialization laryngoplasty should be favored in older patients.
Unilateral vocal-fold paralysis (UVP) occurs when one of the vocal folds becomes paralyzed due to damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Individuals with UVP experience problems with speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Nearly two-thirds of all cases of UVP is associated with impaired function of the left RLN, which branches from the vagus nerve within the thoracic cavity and loops around the aorta before ascending to the larynx within the neck. We hypothesize that this path predisposes the left RLN to a supraphysiological, biomechanical environment, contributing to onset of UVP. Specifically, this research focuses on the identification of the contribution of the aorta to onset of left-sided UVP. Important to this goal is determining the relative influence of the material properties of the RLN and the aorta in controlling the biomechanical environment of the RLN. Finite element analysis was used to estimate the stress and strain imposed on the left RLN as a function of the material properties and loading conditions. The peak stress and strain in the RLN were quantified as a function of RLN and aortic material properties and aortic blood pressure using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. The material properties of the aortic arch showed the strongest correlation with peak stress [ρ = -0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.00 to -0.25] and strain (ρ = -0.62, 95% CI, -0.99 to -0.24) in the RLN. Our results suggest an important role for the aorta in controlling the biomechanical environment of the RLN and potentially in the onset of left-sided UVP that is idiopathic.
Objectives-The intensity of muscle activity immediately following intramuscular botulinum toxin injection may affect the clinical efficacy of the injection. We tested this effect in patients who underwent botulinum toxin injections for adductor spasmodic dysphonia.Methods-Patients were studied over 3 to 5 injection cycles. Cycle 1 was the baseline control; cycle 2 was randomized between a 1-hour reading aloud task ("exercise") and a 24-hour period of complete voice rest. For cycle 3, the patient completed the task not performed in cycle 2. Patients who were willing to continue for cycles 4 and 5 repeated the experiment at one half the injection dosage. Efficacy was determined with a battery of voice recordings and clinical outcomes instruments administered via telephone at 2-to 4-week intervals. The primary outcome measure was the result of the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) instrument.Results-Nine patients (8 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 60.8 years (range, 42 to 76 years) completed at least 3 injection cycles. The VRQOL results were significantly higher for cycles that followed the exercise task. The patients reported subjectively that these were some of the best injection cycles they had ever experienced. Some achieved equivalent results with the half-dose injection plus exercise. The VRQOL results after voice rest cycles were not significantly different from the patients' baseline cycles.Conclusions-These results support the conclusion that a period of intense vocalization immediately following laryngeal botulinum toxin injections improves the efficacy of the injection. Possible mechanisms are proposed.
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