Hydron gel implants in vocal cords

A new operation for the correction of insufficient closure of the glottis is described. A Hydron rod is implanted while the patient is under general anesthesia at direct laryngoscopy; the operative microscope is used for visualization and illumination. The implant was introduced into a submucosal tunnel made by special instruments after a transverse incision was made of the vocal mucosa, 1 or 2 mm in front of the insertion of the processus vocalis. A spindle-form implant made from dry Hydron gel was used. This swells in the tissue within a short time. The results of the operation, which was performed successfully on 40 patients, reflects an improvement in the quality of the voice, as demonstrated by sound analysis and a considerable subjective decrease in symptoms--especially voice fatiguability.