Vocal Fold Injection: Review of Indications, Techniques, and Materials for Augmentation

• Main Authors: Pavan S. Mallur, Clark A. Rosen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2010-12-01
• Series: Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
• Subjects: Vocal fold injection; Vocal fold insufficiency
• Online Access: http://www.e-ceo.org/upload/pdf/ceo-3-177.pdf

Vocal fold injection is a procedure that has over a 100 year history but was rarely done as short as 20 years ago. A renaissance has occurred with respect to vocal fold injection due to new technologies (visualization and materials) and new injection approaches. Awake, un-sedated vocal fold injection offers many distinct advantages for the treatment of glottal insufficiency (vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold paresis, vocal fold atrophy and vocal fold scar). A review of materials available and different vocal fold injection approaches is performed. A comparison of vocal fold injection to laryngeal framework surgery is also undertaken. With proper patient and material selection, vocal fold injection now plays a major role in the treatment of many patients with dysphonia.