Abstract
• An endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy was performed on 20 patients for bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis due to various causes. Ten patients had a previous tracheostomy prior to the laser arytenoidectomy and all were subsequently decannulated. One patient without a previous tracheostomy required an immediate tracheostomy after the completion of the laser arytenoidectomy due to a severe laryngeal edema and was also subsequently decannulated. All of these patients had a satisfactory voice and an adequate laryngeal airway. The advantages of the laser for endoscopic arytenoidectomy are facility of the operation, hemostasis, minimal postoperative edema, and absence of scarring. (Arch Otolaryngol 1985;111:262-263)