Medialization laryngoplasty
Information for patients considering a medialization procedure or implant into their vocal folds
Definition
Indications
Presurgery
Risks
Consent
Surgery
Implant
Arytenoid adduction
Pain
Recovery
Instructions during healing
The following is typical for my patients. There certainly are regional and individual surgeon variations in style.
Definition
Medialization laryngoplasty is a procedure that provides support to a vocal fold that lacks either the bulk, the mobility or both, that it once had. Most commonly it is used to try and correct a neurologic injury or problem that prevents full closure of the vocal fold or folds. It is also frequently called a thyroplasty since the procedure is performed through a hole in the thyroid cartilage (not to be confused with the thyroid gland).
Indications
The vocal cord may require support if it is paralyzed. Two things happen with a paralysis. The vocal cord is basically a muscle with a mucous membrane.