2016 Volume 59 Issue 5 Pages 256-261
Polypoid vocal cord is characterized by diffusely edematous change of the membranous portion of the glottis, in particular, the superficial layer of the lamina propria. In general, it most commonly affects smokers in the 4th decade of life or later, and the main manifestations are hoarseness and deepening of the voice. This lesion usually shows chronic progression, patients occasionally develop dyspnea. Herein, we report 2 cases of polypoid vocal cords categorized as type III according to Yonekawa's classification. The body weight and body-mass index of the first patient were 142.5 kg and 49.6, respectively and those of the second patient were 98.5 kg and 43.0, respectively. Due to the severe obesity, we discussed about maintenance of the airway during the operation with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery. In fact, conventional orotracheal intubation was successfully performed in the first case, and awake nasotracheal intubation was performed to secure the respiratory tract in the second case. Complete surgical resection of the vocal cord lesions was then carried out using the micro-debrider. The postoperative appearance of the glottis was satisfactory, with no evidence of recurrence of the disease.
