Laryngeal nerve damage
Alternative Names
Vocal cord paralysisTreatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the injury. In some instances, no treatment may be needed and the nerve may recover on its own. Voice therapy is useful in some cases.
If surgery is needed, the goal is generally to change the position of the paralyzed vocal cord to improve the voice. This can be done with:
- Injections of collagen, Gelfoam, or some other substance
- Thyroplasty
- Arytenoid adduction
If both left and right nerves are damaged, an immediate tracheotomy may be needed to allow breathing, followed by additional surgery at a later date.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outlook depends on the cause of the injury. In some cases, the nerve rapidly returns to normal. However, sometimes the damage is permanent.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have unexplained hoarseness that persists for more than 3 weeks or if you have difficulty breathing.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.