Abstract
Reconstructed vocal folds following vertical partial laryngectomy become atrophic gradually after surgery. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the cause of the above atrophy by follow-up studies. As a result, removal of the ala of the thyroid cartilage might result in atrophy of reconstructed vocal folds, together with atrophy of the filled muscle flap, since cicatricial contraction in the cervial region draw vocal folds outward. To prevent the occurrence of atrophy of the vocal folds, therefore, the authors recommended to preserve the ala of the thyroid cartilage or to reconstruct it using a cartilagenous homograft or artificial bone (ex. hydroxyl apatite).
