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Biomed J 2021 Dec 27;44(6S1):S101-S109. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Center of Vascularized Tissue Allograft, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) caused by lung surgery is associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased postoperative comorbidities. We evaluated lung surgery-related UVFP and compared its characteristics with UVFP caused by esophageal and thyroid surgeries, as the most common surgical causes of UVFP. We also evaluated the outcomes of intracordal hyaluronate injection laryngoplasty in these patients. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2022 Jun 25;7(3):799-806. Epub 2022 May 25.

Tokyo Voice Center International University of Health and Welfare Tokyo Japan.

Objectives: Treatments for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) include conservative voice rehabilitation, vocal fold injection, and laryngeal framework surgery. We proposed basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) injection as a potential novel treatment for UVFP and have reported the short-term results. In this study, we present the long-term results and safety of vocal fold bFGF injection as a treatment for UVFP. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022 Jun 2;159:111193. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, CA, USA.

Objective: Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography has been utilized to document vocal cord mobility in the adult perioperative thyroidectomy setting with variable success. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of using transcutaneous ultrasound in vocal cord visualization in children, to determine the accuracy in detecting vocal cord immobility compare to flexible laryngoscopy, and to identify any barriers that may affect its utility.

Methods: This is a prospective blinded-assessor study. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A.

Objective/hypothesis: We explored the following hypotheses in a cohort of patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty: (1) glottic insufficiency affects voluntary cough airflow dynamics and restoring glottic competence may improve parameters of cough strength, (2) cough strength can be inferred from cough acoustic signal, and (3) glottic competence changes cough sounds and correlates with spectrogram morphology.

Study Type/design: Prospective interventional study.

Methods: Subjects with glottic insufficiency secondary to unilateral vocal fold paresis, paralysis, or atrophy, and scheduled for injection laryngoplasty completed an instrumental assessment of voluntary cough airflow using a pneumotachometer and a protocolized voluntary cough sound recording. Read More

Auris Nasus Larynx 2022 Jun 9. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

Objective: Although the pathophysiology of swallowing dysfunction in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) remains uncertain, glottal insufficiency is known to be a possible major cause, and other factors due to vagus nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve damage may contribute to dysphagia or aspiration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of arytenoid adduction (AA) surgery on the swallowing functions of UVFP patients and to investigate the important role of glottic closure during swallowing.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed the data of thirteen patients with UVFP who underwent AA in combination with medialization laryngoplasty (ML) for improving voice quality. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022 24;13:886924. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Objectives: This study investigated the treatment options and clinical outcomes of voice therapy (VT), hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, autologous fat injection (FI), and medialization thyroplasty (MT) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after thyroidectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: A tertiary teaching hospital. Read More

J Voice 2022 Jun 4. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Prince of Wales Otolaryngology Head and Neck Research Group, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Otolaryngology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Background: Ansa cervicalis-to-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis (ARA) is an established technique for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury after head and neck surgery. However, the optimal timing of ARA remains unclear, and the evidence bases for ARA performed at each timepoint after RLN injury have not previously been clearly distinguished. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of ARA performed at different timepoints on postoperative voice outcomes. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 Jun 2. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Objectives/hypothesis: Quantify differences in acoustics and intraglottal flow fields between Thyroplasty Type 1 (TT1) with and without arytenoid adduction (AA) using excised canine larynx model.

Study Design: Basic science experiments using excised larynges.

Methods: Surgical procedures were implemented in eight excised canine larynges. Read More

J Voice 2022 May 28. Epub 2022 May 28.

Unità Operativa Complessa di Otorinolaringoiatria, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia; Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Dipartimento Universitario Testa-Collo e Organi di Senso, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.

Objective: To evaluate results of telerehabilitation (TR) during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for the treatment of dysphonia caused by permanent post-thyroidectomy unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).

Methods: Forty subjects with post-thyroidectomy UVFP (onset <1 month) underwent TR. Videostrobolaryngoscopy, acoustic and perceptual voice analysis and patient self-assessment were carried out in person before, at the end of TR and 6 months later. Read More

Laryngorhinootologie 2022 May 23;101(S 01):S144-S159. Epub 2022 May 23.

Vocal fold paralysis is one of the diseases that particularly affect quality of life. While unilateral paralysis leads to glottis closure insufficiency and hoarseness, bilateral paralysis compromises respiration and limits the exercise tolerance. Bioimplants have been used to treat persistent paralysis for over 100 years. Read More

J Voice 2022 May 3. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Objective: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) has become a mainstay in the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis due to technical ease and avoidance of open surgery. The duration of IL effect depends on the injected material and has not been defined clearly. We aimed to define the effective duration of IL and to investigate the associated factors. Read More

J Laryngol Otol 2022 May 28;136(5):466-468. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Department of Otolaryngology, Queen's Hospital, Romford, UK.

Background: In a bid to end the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many countries, including the UK, have rolled out mass immunisation programmes. While considered generally safe and effective, vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 have been reported to be associated with rare and potentially adverse reactions and side effects.

Case Report: This paper reports an unusual case of a patient who developed a unilateral vocal fold paralysis shortly after receiving the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine. Read More

Front Surg 2022 6;9:876228. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after thyroid surgery often leads to significant morbidity including dysphonia, dysphagia, and aspiration. Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is an effective treatment of UVFP with numerous readily available materials. However, few studies focus on IL for UVFP following thyroidectomy. Read More

Front Neurol 2022 4;13:869900. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.

This article addresses the potential clinical value of surface electrical stimulation in the acute phase of denervation after the onset of facial nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. These two nerve lesions are the most frequent head and neck nerve lesions. In this review, we will work out several similarities concerning the pathophysiology features and the clinical scenario between both nerve lesions, which allow to develop some general rules for surface electrical stimulation applicable for both nerve lesions. Read More

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2022 Apr 8. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Korea.

Purpose: Vocal fold injection (VFI) via the cricothyroid (CT) membrane is used in the treatment of various VF diseases. The technical challenges of this technique are mainly related to the invisibility of the needle. Recently, real-time light-guided VFI (RL-VFI) was developed for simultaneous injection under light guidance in the CT approach. Read More

Dysphagia 2022 Apr 12. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Johns Hopkins University, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Glottal incompetence caused by unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is a common cause of dysphagia and aspiration. Treatments targeted at reducing glottal incompetence by injection augmentation or medialization thyroplasty are well established at improving voice outcomes, but improvements in swallowing function are less clear. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the impact of vocal fold medialization on dysphagia outcomes. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022 Jun 26;157:111118. Epub 2022 Mar 26.

Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Introduction: Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is associated with a higher incidence of congenital heart defects, which often require surgery within the first year of life. Previous studies have found that children with Down syndrome are at higher risk for subglottic stenosis, vocal fold paralysis, and laryngomalacia. The goal of this study is to review children with Down syndrome presenting with dysphonia and to characterize their laryngeal pathologies. Read More

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2022 04 24;43(4):592-596. Epub 2022 Mar 24.

Department of Otolaryngology (S.J.C.).

Background And Purpose: Several CT findings are thought to be indicative of vocal cord paralysis; however, these signs have never been validated in a blinded fashion. This study attempts to compare and validate these signs and determine their accuracy in predicting vocal cord paralysis.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed, and CT scans from patients with known unilateral vocal cord paralysis and known normal vocal cord movement were reviewed by 3 radiologists who were blinded to the status of the patients' laryngeal function. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2022 Mar 24:1455613221082619. Epub 2022 Mar 24.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 65462Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commonly used injectable material in temporary vocal fold injections (VFI) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Hyaluronic acid has generally been known for its three-six months of longevity following VFI. Owing to recent advances in cross-linking technologies, the longevity of HA-based materials, including deep-volumizing cross-linked HA used in VFI, has been improved. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022 Mar 15:1945998221084891. Epub 2022 Mar 15.

Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA.

Objective: To assess dysphagia outcomes following surgical management of unilateral vocal fold immobility in children.

Data Sources: Ovid Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases.

Review Methods: A systematic review of the medical literature was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Turk Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Dec 22;59(4):271-281. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Objective: To study the effectiveness of early percutaneous transthyrohyoid injection laryngoplasty under local anesthesia in improving voice quality in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) patients.

Methods: Longitudinal data of 29 UVFP patients who underwent injection laryngoplasty within six months from the onset of the symptoms were studied. The injectate (0. Read More

Surg Oncol 2022 May 2;41:101734. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Introduction: Cervical schwannomas are rare diseases treated by complete resection, leading to potential neurological deficits. Intracapsular enucleation is an acceptable alternative to preserve the involved nerve function, but the clinical outcomes by an aesthetically pleasing approach remain unrevealed. This study evaluated functional and oncological outcomes after intracapsular enucleation of cervical schwannomas via retroauricular hairline (Roh's) incision. Read More

J Voice 2022 Jan 24. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia. Electronic address:

Objective: Vocal fold paresis or paralysis (VFP) may severely affect quality of life due to dysphonia and respiratory distress. As an increasing percentage of the United States population receives the COVID-19 vaccination, the objective of this study is to determine the correlation of COVID-19 postvaccination recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and resulting VFP.

Methods: The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database was queried for patients exhibiting symptoms of VFP following COVID-19 vaccination. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 Feb 15. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Sean Parker Institute for the Voice, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Objectives/hypothesis: Contemporary evaluation of vocal fold motion impairment largely relies on clinical laryngoscopy, with the diagnoses of vocal fold paresis (VFPa) and paralysis (VFP) being based on identification of partial and complete restriction of gross vocal fold motion, respectively. No consensus exists on the diagnostic criteria of VFPa. Laryngeal electromyography does not offer any insight into nerve conduction velocity without the adjunction of nerve conduction studies, which are impractical to perform on laryngeal nerves due to their anatomic location. Read More

Biomed J 2021 12 15;44(6 Suppl 1):S1-S7. Epub 2022 Jan 15.

Freelance Journalist, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address:

In this issue of Biomedical Journal we get to know measures to prevent a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak, a compound that is able to stall SARS-CoV-2 replication, and the connection between air pollution and COVID-19 cases. Another article allows an insight into the potential of treating HIV combining a conventional drug and low level laser therapy. Furthermore, the advantages of awake craniotomy are presented, the efficacy of IRES is examined, and plant extracts are on the one hand explored as a nociceptive agent and on the other hand as therapeutic approach against breast cancer. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022 Jan 12:1945998211072832. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, California, USA.

Objective: To assess dysphagia outcomes following surgical management of unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI) in adults.

Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central.

Review Methods: A structured literature search was utilized, and a 2-researcher systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2022 Jan;31(1):154-160

Dr Sudhangshu Shekhar Biswas, Associate Professor, ENT and Head Neck Surgery Department, BIRDEM General Hospital & Ibrahim Medical College (IMC), Dhaka, Bangladesh; E-mail:

The technique of thyroidectomy has been in evolution for many years. It is a basic rule of surgery that an important structure of a human body must be recognized certainly during the surgical procedure in order to prevent its damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our routine identification and without identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy aiming to lessen the inadvertent injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Read More

Am J Otolaryngol 2022 Mar-Apr;43(2):103353. Epub 2021 Dec 24.

Audiology and Phoniatric Clinic, World Hearing Centre, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany, Poland.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess outcomes of injection laryngoplasty (IL) for treating glottal insufficiency in elderly patients with presbyphonia or unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).

Methods: A single-center retrospective study was performed. The study group consisted of 34 patients with glottal insufficiency aged between 60 and 82 years who had been treated with injection laryngoplasty. Read More

Ear Nose Throat J 2021 Dec 27:1455613211069919. Epub 2021 Dec 27.

Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, 8784University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

We describe a rare occurrence of unilateral vocal fold paralysis associated with a cervical osteophyte abutting the course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Trans-nasal laryngoscopy is vital in diagnosing vocal fold paralysis, but often does not provide insight into etiology. This case highlights the importance of radiographic imaging in newly diagnosed vocal fold paralysis, and underscores the principle that a diagnosis is not idiopathic until all sources have been ruled out. Read More

Case Rep Otolaryngol 2021 6;2021:7368567. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Department of Otolaryngology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Congenital vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is an important cause of respiratory compromise in infants. It can either be unilateral or bilateral, while imaging is routinely performed for bilateral VFP to evaluate for potential neurological causes, and such a practice may not be routine for unilateral VFP. While many of the unilateral VFP cases are idiopathic, the cause may occasionally be more sinister in nature, such as tumors. Read More