Surgical Impact of the Montgomery Implant System on Arytenoid Cartilage and the Paralyzed Vocal Fold

Objectives/Hypothesis. Medialization thyroplasty (MT) has become a prominent method for treating glottal insufficiency. This study aimed to visualize the biomechanical influence of a medialization implant on arytenoid cartilage, particularly on the length and level of paralyzation in the vocal fold, in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Study Design. Prospective study. Methods. We recruited 15 patients (10 men, 5 women) with unilateral vocal fold paralysis that underwent MT with a Montgomery (R) thyroplasty implant. We performed high-resolution computed tomography of the arytenoid cartilage before and afterMT and analyzed the three-dimensional images. To visualize the movement of the arytenoid and to measure the lengthening of the vocal fold, we superimposed pre- and postoperative 3D images withMIMICS software. Results. On the affected side, the implant pushed the arytenoid backwards. In addition, the vocal process of the arytenoid was inwardly rotated. These movements resulted in an elongated, augmented vocal fold on the affected side. Conclusion. MT led to an elongated, medialized vocal fold on the treated side. After the intervention, the vocal folds on both sides were the same length in the phonatory position.