Continuous positive airway pressure. Use in bilateral vocal cord paralysis

Continuous positive airway pressure has been used in the management of a number of upper airway problems, and has become well established as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. The therapeutic value is achieved by an internal splinting effect on the compromised airway. Airway compromise from bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve trauma can occur with surgical procedures associated with extensive dissection of these nerves. The use of continuous positive airway pressure for the management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, although not previously described, to my knowledge, is outlined in this article.