Thyroplasty in India
What is Thyroplasty ?
A thyroplasty is a procedure performed to help correct vocal cord weakness. Patients with vocal cord weakness may have a weak, breathy voice, and speaking may require considerable effort. Because the vocal folds cannot close completely during swallowing, the patient may also experience coughing and choking while eating or drinking.
The most common cause of vocal
cord paralysis or paresis (partial weakness) is
partial injury to the recurrent laryngeal
nerve. This nerve is responsible for
controlling the intrinsic muscles of the larynx.
This can be caused from trauma, surgery,
viral infection, or other causes. Occasionally
a person who has suffered a stroke can
develop a vocal cord paralysis.
Treatment:
The most effective
treatment of vocal cord weakness is a
thyroplasty on the side of the nerve injury.
This is an operation performed through a
small incision in the skin near the larynx. A
small piece of thyroid cartilage is removed
and a small block of silastic (medical grade
plastic) is hand- carved and secured into the
cartilage. This block acts as a shim that
pushes the vocal fold to midline to improve
vocal cord closure.
The procedure requires 1-2 hours to
complete. After the procedure, the patient is
taken to the Recovery Room for observation
and then admitted over night to observe the
airway. The patient is discharged from the
hospital the following day.
After Surgery:
We ask that patients
avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for
one week. Rest the voice by using
“confidential” voice. “Confidential voice” is a
technique in which one speaks at a
comfortable pitch and loudness and refrains
from yelling or whispering. It is important to
drink plenty of liquids. The incision should
remain dry until the sutures have been
removed.