SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BILATERAL PARALYSIS OF THE ABDUCTOR MUSCLES

Abstract

It is the purpose of this paper not to discuss at length the symptoms, diagnosis and causes of bilateral paralysis of the abductor muscles of the larynx but to cover in a general way the surgical treatment and the results obtained by the various operations. In other words, it is an attempt to answer the question—"What can I do to relieve the patient suffering with bilateral paralysis of the abductor muscles, and what results can I expect ?" In October 1939, in one of the public hospitals in New York, I was confronted with a patient who was suffering from this condition after several operations on her thyroid gland. She wanted something done to relieve her of the tracheotomy tube, and she wanted it done quickly, because of the distressing annoyance caused by this plumbing in her trachea. I assured her that something would be done at the first opportunity.