Vocal fold paralysis

Vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is fortunately not common, comprising 0.2-0.4% of patients presenting to the author's ENT clinics. However, VFP can create significant morbidity for patients through disabling dysphonia or aspiration with or without pneumonia. Regardless of whether such a nerve injury is temporary or permanent, there can still be a dense paralysis. As such, the immobile cord can lie laterally creating severe dysphonia from a large glottal gap and inadequate airway protection. The flow-on effect can have a major impact on a worker's productivity or social involvement, leading to absence from work, loss of income, loss of job opportunities or even social withdrawal