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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Evaluate Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury
Published on: February 23, 2014
Results of ansa to recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation
Walter T Lee1, Claudio Milstein, Douglas Hicks
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Objective:
We sought to describe the results of ansa cervicalis to recurrent laryngeal nerve (ansa-RLN) reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
Study Design:
A chart review was performed on patients undergoing ansa-RLN reinnervation for unilateral vocal cord paralysis at a tertiary care center. Patient perceptions of preoperative and postoperative voice quality was surveyed. Acoustic and visual parameters were assessed from videostroboscopy.
Results:
From a total of 25 study patients, 15 patients underwent both preoperative and postoperativ video stroboscopies. In stroboscopies within 6 months, the average improvement in overall severity, roughness, and breathiness was 69, 79, and 100 percent, respectively. In stroboscopies after 6 months, the average improvement in overall severity, roughness, and breathiness was 63, 66, and 100 percent, respectively. Postoperatively, all patients had reinnervation of the vocal fold.
Conclusions:
Voice outcomes were improved in patients with preoperative and postoperative stroboscopies.
Significance:
Ansa-RLN reinnervation should be considered as a treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
