Laryngeal collagen injection as an adjunct to medialization laryngoplasty

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis Dysphonia associated with laryngeal paralysis may be identified in the short term postoperatively or may develop years after successful medialization laryngoplasty. In selected cases, laryngeal collagen injection permits further medialization of one or both vocal folds by small increments to improve phonation after medialization thyroplasty. The study seeks to determine whether collagen injections result in measurable improvements in voice quality and vocal function when offered to select patients who have received medialization thyroplasty. Study Design Retrospective review of patient charts and voice database. Methods Seven patients were treated with Zyderm II collagen using indirect mirror laryngoscopy and a curved injection apparatus. Changes in voice quality and function were assessed by comparing measures obtained before treatment (mean period, 5.6 d), shortly after treatment (mean period, 38.1 d), and in the long term after treatment (mean period, 226 d). Results Mean self-ratings of the patient, clinician’s ratings, and objective measures demonstrated measurable improvement in vocal function after collagen injection. Conclusions The office-based procedure offers a simple, efficient adjunct to open techniques of medialization laryngoplasty. Techniques of anesthesia, injection, and patient selection are discussed. © 2002 American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.