The Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis (UVFP), abducted, is a medical pathology that gives a lot of discomfort to the patient especially because of the speech impairment. Nowadays it is offered a variety of scientific methods for its treatment. AIM: To study the efficacy, advantages and disadvantages in using expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE)'s band to medialize a paralyzed and abducted vocal fold. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal Cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four patients with medical-laryngoscope diagnosis of disphonia by UVFP, abducted for at least one year. They were submitted to speech pathology evaluation and so, to e-PTFE type one thyroplasty medialization and followed by videolaryngoscopy, computed tomography and speech pathology therapy. RESULTS: All four patients were satisfied with the thyroplasty results, videolaryngoscopy was used to document the vocal fold medialized and its function was studied by speech pathologist. One patient had e-PTFE band extrusion during surgery, being submitted of another procedure six months after without complications. CONCLUSION: PTFE band is an efficient treatment for UVFP abducted without important risks.
vocal cord paralysis; thyroplasty; gore-tex; polytef; expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
