Long‐Term results of thornell arytenoidectomy in the surgical treatment of bilateral vocal cord paralysis

Unilateral or bilateral Thornell arytenoidectomy provided relief from laryngeal obstruction in 135 of 147 patients (92 percent). Twelve patients required contralateral arytenoidectomy an average of six and one‐half years after an initially successful unilateral procedure. Voice preservation was excellent in all but six patients (4 percent). Complications in seven patients included the formation of granulation polyps (five) and webs (two); corrective procedures rehabilitated all seven.