Thyroplasty type I (lateral compression) for dysphonia due to vocal cord paralysis or atrophy

Based on the experimental results of thyroplasty, thyroplasty type I which aims at medical shifting the vocal cord was performed on 8 patients with dysphonia, 6 with vocal cord paralysis and 2 with vocal cord atrophy. The surgery was conducted on either in- or out-patient basis and local anesthesia was used. Usually, a rectangular incision was made on the thyroid cartilage at the level of the vocal cord, and the fragmemt was depressed inward. A cartilage piece taken from the opposite side was used as a wedge, if necessary, to enhance the effect of lateral compression of the vocal cord. The voice after surgery was generally satisfactory, except in one case of traumatic vocal cord paralysis. Complications such as stridor or dyspnea were nil. As surgical intervention inside the thyroid cartilage is minimal, fine and reliable adjustment of depression is possible during the surgery.