Transverse cordotomy for bilateral vocal cord motion impairment: A report of two difficult cases

Abstract

We performed a transverse cordotomy on seven patients demonstrating bilateral vocal cord motion impairment since October 1992. This method proved to be quite easy to perform and also showed good results in preserving the patients'voice quality. However, we did experience two difficult cases. The first case was a 59-year-old male who developed aspiration post-operatively. The second case was a 70-year-old female who repeatedly showed adhesion at the cutting edge of the bilateral vocal cords and had to undergo endoscopic treatment three times. We herein report these difficult cases while, at the same time, reexamining both the criteria and methodology of this operative procedure.