Clinical restoration of voice function after loss of the vagus nerve

One hundred eleven patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis underwent Teflon injection for the rehabilitation of laryngeal function. The most common etiology was vocal cord paralysis after surgical treatment of thoracic abdominal aortic aneurysms, which accounted for 36.9% of patients. Of the 111 patients, 85% had improved voice function after Teflon injection. Two patients developed airway obstruction secondary to edema and required temporary tracheostomy. Twenty-four patients with paralysis after aneurysm surgery were injected acutely with no morbidity and immediate restoration of voice function. We now advocate Teflon injection in patients with vocal cord paralysis after thoracic aneurysm surgery in the immediate convalescent period to restore voice function and lessen pulmonary complications.