Injection of basic fibroblast growth factor for unilateral vocal cord paralysis

AbstractObjective: Unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) not only induces severe dysphonia, but aspiration as well. Although laryngeal framework surgery is usually performed to treat this condition, the procedure is not tolerated by some patients. In the previous study, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) injections for vocal cord scarring and sulcus have been reported to provide favorable outcomes while being minimally invasive. In this study, the authors retrospectively investigated phonological outcomes after bFGF injection in patients with UVCP.Methods: This study was registered in University hospital Medical Information Network – Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000019347). Nineteen patients with unilateral cord paralysis were treated with bFGF injection. The treatment regimen involved a single injection of 50 μg of bFGF into the muscle layer. More than six months after the injection, aerodynamic and acoustic outcomes were examined.Results: The voice handicap index, maximum phonation time, mean airfl...