Endoscopic posterior ventricular cordectomy with contact diode laser: how I do it.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis is mainly surgical and several procedures can be used to guarantee adequate breathing. Furthermore, other causes of the narrowing of the natural airways could coexist and the treatment should consider all of them.

METHODS: A supraglottic extension of posterior cordectomy to the false homolateral chord is described, which provides a further widening of the airway while maintaining acceptable voice quality.

CONCLUSION: Endoscopic posterior ventricular cordectomy performed by contact diode laser may be a viable and safe option, especially in those patients who present bilateral vocal fold paralysis associated with various degrees of laryngospasm.