Laryngeal pacing for bilateral vocal fold immobility.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews literature on the scientific background of functional electric stimulation of the immobile larynx, the status of animal pacing trials, and first clinical attempts to establish laryngeal pacing.

RECENT FINDINGS: Impaired vocal fold motion is seen following recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and is a result of inadequate or synkinetic reinnervation. The term vocal fold paralysis should only be used after verification using laryngeal electromyography. A variety of animal trials give clear evidence supporting the feasibility of laryngeal pacing as a new dynamic approach for the rehabilitation of patients with bilateral vocal fold motion impairment. Laryngeal pacing has become clinically applicable with minimal invasive electrode insertion and newly designed stimulation circuits.

SUMMARY: Laryngeal pacing seems to be on the right path to open up a dynamic rehabilitation of the bilaterally motion-impaired larynx.