Tracheal sounds and airflow dynamics in surgically treated unilateral vocal fold paralysis

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in tracheal sounds and airflow dynamics in patients who underwent surgical medialization of a unilaterally paralysed vocal fold. Ten adults with unilateral vocal fold paralysis but no history of pulmonary diseases were included. Vocal fold medialization was performed by an injection of autologous fascia into the paralysed vocal fold. Recording of tracheal sounds, flow-volume spirometry and body plethysmography were carried out before and 4-14 months after the operation. The mean number of inspiratory wheezes per respiratory cycle increased from 0.02 (range 0-0.10) to 0.42 (range 0-0.86) and the mean number of expiratory wheezes per respiratory cycle from 0.03 (range 0-0.20) to 0.36 (range 0-0.89). The increment was statistically significant (P=0.03 and P=0.04, respectively). The mean expiratory sound amplitude, in terms of root mean square (RMS), increased from 31.5 dB (range 24.0-38.0) to 34.9 dB (range 25-42) (P=0.03) and the average peak inspiratory flow (PIF) decreased from 4.63 l s-1 (range 2.84-7.51) to 4.03 l s-1 (range 2.27-6.68) (P=0.01). The results indicate that when the paralysed vocal fold is brought into midline by a surgical procedure, the prevalence of inspiratory and expiratory wheezes increases and sound intensity rises. According to this preliminary data tracheal sound analysis gives additional information for the assessment of the subtle changes in the larynx.