Surgical management of bilateral abductor paralysis by extralaryngeal approach

Paralysis of the abductors of both vocal cords causes the vocal cords to lie in the midline or paramedian position. This compromises the airways and causes respiratory distress which may often be acute necessitating tracheostomy. A lateralisation of the vocal cord is required to provide adequate airway without significantly affecting speech. Extralaryngeal approach is our preferred approach. This article reports a study of eight cases who underwent arytenoid abduction by an extralaryngeal approach for bilateral abductor paralysis of vocal cords.