Outcomes of Autologous Fat Injection Laryngoplasty in Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) is not an uncommon finding. Several procedures are available to manage glottal insufficiency. We conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the outcome of fat injection laryngoplasty.
Liposuctioned lower abdomen fat was injected for augmentation of paralyzed vocal cord in 20 patients with UVCP. Autologous fat was harvested with an 18G needle and a 20-ml disposable syringe using a liposuction technique. Clinical follow-up after the injection was carried out from 1 to 6–21 months
Voice and glottal protective function were significantly improved after the surgery. Vocal elements were immediately improved after the surgery, and after 1 year of follow-up.
Fat injection laryngoplasty by liposuction is simple, safe, effective and has a low cost for patients with UVCP with aspiration and breathy voice dysphonia.