Vocal Fold Lipoinjection

Vocal fold injection

Vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold paresis, vocal fold atrophy, sulcus vocalis, severe vocal fold scar, soft tissue loss of the vocal fold(s)

Bilateral vocal fold immobility/hypomobility, coagulopathy (relative)

4.6mm Tulip liposuction cannula
Instrumentarium lipoinjection device
Large bore laryngoscope

General anesthesia and endotracheal intubation; liposuction is performed after sterile prep and draping; microsuspension laryngoscopy can be performed as a clean procedure.

Check coagulation status if patient is anti-coagulated.

Make a 5mm abdominal incision in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Aim liposuction cannula opening upwards in the subcutaneous plane to prevent accidental penetration into deep abdominal contents.

Airway obstruction, infection and/or hematoma at the abdominal liposuction site, overinjection, underinjection, fat resorption requiring revision surgery.

None

Rosen CA and Simpson CB (2008). Operative Techniques in Laryngology. Chapter 31. Vocal Fold Augmentation - via Direct Microlaryngoscopy. Pages 200-202. Springer, Berlin.
Cantarella G, Mazzola RF, Domenichini E, Arnour F, Maraschi B (2005) Vocal fold augmentation by autologous fat injection with lipostructure procedure. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 132: 239-243.
Hsiung MW, Lin YS, Su FW, Wang HW (2003) Autogenous fat injection for vocal fold atrophy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 260: 469-474.
Laccourreye O et al (2003) Intracordal injection of autologous fat in patients with unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis, long-term results from the patient's perspective. Laryngoscope 113: 541-545.