To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Vocal Cord Paralysis - Laryngeal Reinnervation
Date sent: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 10:59:00 PST
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

On Wed, 1 Dec 1999 15:19:04 -0800 , EXT-Gustaveson, William J wrote:

> I have unilateral vocal cord paralysis of the right vocal cord. My ENT
has recommended that I have a Laryngeal Reinnervation procedure to correct
this. My doctor said that after the operation it takes from 2-8 months for
the nerve to reinnervate. I was wondering if anyone knows of someone who
has undergone this procedure.>

Good question, Will. This procedure is still very controversial and there
are many well respected surgeons who do not think that it works at all. The
studies which have supported it have not been reproduced by others. You
need to ask your doctor what his own success rate is, how many he has done,
and ask for references from patients who have had it. My guess is that he
hasn't done many; no one has. The best known advocates for it are Roger
Crumley at UC Davis, Geral Berke at UCLA, and Harvey Tucker at Case Western
Reserve in Cleveland.
In general, I'm all for it but I think that you need to go in with a
healthy skepticism. Ideally, he should perform another procedure at the
same time to improve your vocal function while you're waiting for the
re-innervation to work (if it ever works) which would consist of moving the
paralyzed vocal cord closer to the midline position with an implant.

>I would like to know what the recovery was like. How well you perceived
the operation worked. Also what was the size of the incision scar? How did
it heal? What were the first few days after the operation like, etc?
> Any relevant information would be appreciated.
>
> Bill Gustaveson
> Seattle, Washington


All good questions, and all should be specifically answered by your surgeon
without any doubts left in your mind before going in. In general, the
incision goes from about the middle of your neck just below the voice box to
the front of the big muscle on the side of your neck. You should feel
fairly good by the next day, and back to normal within 4-7 days. You
shouldn't have any problems with swallowing.

Feel free to ask more ??

John M. Schweinfurth, MD
Laryngology and Professional Voice Care
Assistant Professor
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
(615) 322-6180




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