Abstract
Between 1976 and 1986, 214 patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis and 73 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis were managed by the author using the nerve-muscle pedicle technique for reinnervation. Follow-up of at least 2 years has been obtained on 202 of the bilaterally and 70 of the unilaterally involved patients. Long-term success has been achieved in 74% of the bilateral group and 88% of the unilateral group. Successful reinnervation of unilateral paralyses usually maintains voice correction indefinitely, but there is late (2 to 5 years postsurgery) deterioration of successful airway restoration in approximately 17% of bilateral cases, which appears to be due to development of cricoarytenoid arthritis.

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