Investigation of Type I Thyroplasty Using Titanium Implant

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe a new titanium thyroplasty medializing implant and evaluate its usefulness. Retrospective study of 9 male patients with severe unilateral vocal fold paralysis after aortic-aneurysm surgery who underwent type I thyoplasty with arytenoid adduction under general anesthesia. Preoperative and postoperative glottal closure and voice function were evaluated by acoustic analysis (Jitter %, Shimmer %, NHR), stroboscopic findings, maximum phonation time, mean airflow rate, voice handicap index and computed tomography findings. These tests were evaluated before and 3 months after surgery. All acoustic parameters improved after surgery. In stroboscopic findings, symmetrical mucosal waves were identified in 3 cases. Maximum phonation time prolonged, mean flow rate decreased and voice handicap index improved. In computed-tomography findings, breakage, deformation, dropped and migration of titanium plate were not identified. In surgery of vocal fold paralyzed patient, it is necessary to reconstruct vocal fold in physiological state at the time of phonation. Using the titanium plate developed for this purpose, all patients obtained good vocal improvement.