Improved Swallow Outcomes after Injection Laryngoplasty in Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility

While the impact of injection laryngoplasty on voice outcomes in unilateral vocal fold immobility has been well characterized, there is a relative paucity of literature investigating its influence on swallow function and outcomes. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients presenting to an academic cancer center between January 2014 and January 2016 to evaluate the clinical impact of percutaneous injection laryngoplasty on reduction of aspiration risk, patient perception of swallowing, and recommended safe diet in patients with vocal fold immobility after head and neck and thoracic surgery. A consecutive sample of patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold immobility with patient- or clinician-identified abnormal swallow function who underwent bedside or in-office vocal fold injection was included in the study. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, Eating Assessment Tool-10 scores, Functional Oral Intake Scale scores, and patient perceptual assessment of swallow were evaluated pre-...