Abstract:ObjectiveTo observe the effect of vocal cord injection on unilateral vocal cord paralysis at different intervention time.MethodsFrom Jan 2017 to April 2019, a total 31 patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroid surgery underwent vocal cord injection in our department. Vocal cord lateral injection of hyaluronic acid was performed through the cricothyroid membrane under fibrolaryngoscope in all the patients. Among them, 18 cases received vocal cord injection within 1 month after thyroidectomy (the early intervention group), and 13 received injection later than 6 months after thyroidectomy (the late intervention group). Strobolaryngoscope, voice analysis, GRBAS assessment, and VHI10 scale were performed in all patients before and after treatment. The data of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in clinical features, voice analysis results, GRBAS scores and VHI scores between the two groups before treatment. Strobolaryngoscope examination showed improved vocal cord insufficiency one month after injection in both groups, and disappeared mucosal wave at the affected vocal cord in 4 patients of the late intervention group. One month after injection, there were no significant differences in VHI10 score and MPT between the two groups, while the GRBAS score, jitter and shimmer of the early intervention group were lower than those of the late intervention group.ConclusionFor unilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy, early vocal cord injection can achieve better therapeutic effect than late injection, which may be due to the damage of vocal function caused by prolonged loss of contact stimulation and denervation.
