Injection medialization laryngoplasty improves dysphagia in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient reported swallowing outcomes before and after injection medialization laryngoplasty in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). METHODS: Case series with chart review of patients with UVFI who underwent injection medialization laryngoplasty at a community laryngology practice by a single clinician between October 2015 and December 2017. Patient-reported validated surveys of swallowing impairment, Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), demographics, etiology and duration of symptoms were recorded before and after injection. A paired t test was done on EAT-10 surveys before and after IML to assess for statistical significance. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with UVFI and glottic insufficiency underwent IML between October 2015 and December 2017. Nineteen of 21 patients (90%) presented with dysphagia (EAT-10 ≥ 3). 76% of patients with dysphagia reported improvement in swallowing function after IML. The EAT-10 scores of UVFI patients with dysphagia before and after IML were 17.0 ± 14.0 and 4.2 ± 9.6, respectively (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all patients with UVFI and glottic insufficiency report associated dysphagia. Three fourths of these patients perceive improvement in their swallowing function after injection medialization laryngoplasty. Patients with idiopathic UVFI may have a more sustained improvement and those with severe preop dysphagia may not benefit. Further research is necessary to refine patient selection and to assess duration of improved swallowing function.