Vocal Cord Paralysis Treatment & Surgery
Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal cords cannot move properly due to nerve damage or dysfunction. This condition can result from various factors, including trauma, surgery, infection, or neurological disorders.
Individuals with vocal cord paralysis affecting one vocal cord may experience a change in the quality of the voice, difficulties with increasing the loudness of the voice and problems with maintaining voice for prolonged periods.
When paralysis involves both vocal cords, the vocal cords are unable to open when breathing in. This can cause breathing and swallowing difficulty.
What treatments are available for vocal cord paralysis of one vocal cord?
When one of your vocal cords is paralysed, my focus is on helping the working vocal cord press effectively against the paralysed one to produce a strong, clear voice. For mild cases, this can often be achieved through voice therapy alone. For moderate cases, I use a technique to push the paralysed cord closer to its partner by injecting a filler or fat next to it. In more severe cases, I place an implant next to the paralysed cord through a small incision in the neck, and I use the APrevent® VOIS implant system for this purpose.
If the paralysis is recent, I recommend injecting a temporary filler next to the vocal cord as soon as possible. This quick intervention can restore your voice and, based on research, may even encourage recovery of the paralysed vocal cord. This procedure can be carried out while you are awake, under local anaesthetic, or while you are asleep under general anaesthesia, depending on you and your circumstances.
What treatments are available for vocal cord paralysis affecting both vocal cords (bilateral)?
In some mild cases, you may be able to manage most of your daily activities without the paralysis significantly affecting your breathing, meaning no treatment is necessary. However, in moderate to severe cases, surgery is usually required. This can sometimes involve a tracheostomy—a tube inserted into the windpipe through the neck—to bypass the narrowed airway caused by immobile vocal cords.
To avoid the need for a tracheostomy or to remove a tracheostomy once it has been fitted, I can perform a procedure called laser arytenoidectomy. This involves using a CO2 laser to remove the back part of one or both paralysed vocal cords. This widens the airway, to make breathing easier.
What do procedures for vocal cord paralysis involve?
If the procedure involves injecting a filling agent into one of your vocal cords under local anaesthesia, it will be carried out in the treatment room at One Welbeck. All other procedures are performed at The London Clinic. Surgery can be either a day-case or require an overnight stay and is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be asleep.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort after the procedure, which is easily managed with simple painkillers. In some cases, you may need to rest your voice for two days and take a week off work. I will usually see you back in the clinic one to two weeks after the procedure to review your progress.
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FAQs
Is vocal cord paralysis treatment available on the NHS or is it private treatment?
Vocal cord paralysis treatment is available on both the NHS and as private treatment. NHS treatment is typically available for medically necessary cases where vocal cord paralysis significantly affects breathing, swallowing, or voice function. Private treatment options are also available for patients seeking faster access to specialist care or additional treatment choices at private clinics.
Is vocal cord paralysis treatment permanent?
Vocal cord paralysis treatment outcomes vary depending on the specific procedure and individual circumstances. Some treatments like voice therapy may provide temporary improvement, while surgical interventions such as vocal cord implants or laser arytenoidectomy typically provide permanent structural changes. The permanency of results depends on the underlying cause of paralysis and the chosen treatment approach.
How long is the recovery time after vocal cord paralysis treatment?
Recovery time following vocal cord paralysis treatment typically takes 1 week, though this varies by procedure type. Minor procedures like vocal cord injections may require only a few days of voice rest, while surgical treatments may need up to a week off work. Most patients experience minimal discomfort that is easily managed with simple painkillers and can expect follow-up appointments within 1-2 weeks.
Is vocal cord paralysis treatment performed under general anaesthesia?
Vocal cord paralysis treatment can be performed under either local or general anaesthesia, depending on the specific procedure. Simple vocal cord injections can be carried out under local anaesthetic in the treatment room, while more complex surgical procedures require general anaesthesia. The choice of anaesthesia depends on the treatment complexity and patient circumstances.
Does vocal cord paralysis treatment require an overnight hospital stay?
Vocal cord paralysis treatment may or may not require an overnight hospital stay, depending on the specific procedure performed. Simple vocal cord injections are typically day-case procedures carried out in the treatment room, while more complex surgical interventions may require overnight monitoring. Your surgeon will advise whether an overnight stay is necessary based on your individual treatment plan.