Teflon Injection for Vocal Cord Paralysis

Abstract

THE TREATMENT of patients with a narrow glottis, resulting from bilateral abduction vocal cord paralysis, has been satisfactorily resolved by either an arytenoidectomy or an arytenoidopexy. Patients with a wide glottis have been effectively helped by the injection of foreign substances into the vocal cord, shifting it to a midline position. Brünings¹in 1911 improved phonation by injecting paraffin into a paralyzed vocal cord. Because of the danger of paraffinoma and consequent sloughing, the method was abandoned. In 1957, Arnold²revived interest in intracordal injections by his use of cartilage and bone paste. Intracordal injection of other substances followed with Goff³using bovine bone paste, Rubin⁴injecting silicone, and Arnold⁵and Lewy⁶injecting Teflon-glycerine suspension. At the present time over 500 patients in the United States have received intracordal injections with encouraging results. Successful injection improves the voice, eliminating the breathy whisper, and also