Are you having difficulty breathing due to vocal cord paralysis? Let's learn about Laser Cordotomy!

Do you feel like you have difficulty breathing or are short of breath when you talk, swallow, or even just stand still? Sometimes this can be caused by both vocal cords in your throat not working properly. In this article, we will talk about a modern, not-so-complicated treatment that can help you breathe easier in such situations.

Simply put, what is Laser Cordotomy?

Laser Cordotomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a surgeon to widen your airway. Think of your vocal cords as two doors. When these doors are closed and only open a small amount, there is not enough room for air to pass through. That's what happens.

During this surgery, the doctor uses a laser to make a very small incision in one (or both) of your vocal cords. This incision creates extra space for air to pass through the vocal cords, making breathing much easier.

What kind of condition is this treatment for?

Laser Cordotomy is mainly used to treat a condition where both vocal cords are paralyzed . We call this ``Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis``. In this condition, both of your vocal cords do not open and close. They are stuck together, in a closed state.

This causes the airway to become very narrow, which can cause problems such as difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, and difficulty swallowing.

What is the difference between Cordotomy and Cordectomy?

Although these two words sound similar, what they do is completely different. It is very important to know this difference.

How do you prepare before surgery?

Your medical team will give you clear instructions on how to prepare for this surgery. Before the treatment, they will check several things about you.

• The flow of air and its force when you speak.
• Breathability.
• Function of the vocal cords.
• Voice quality.

In addition, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) will take several video images of your vocal cords before surgery to record the size of your airway and the position of your vocal cords. They will also take another video after surgery to measure how much improvement you have made.

Let's also look at how the surgery is performed.

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which puts you in a deep sleep. So you won't feel anything. During the surgery, your surgeon will follow these steps:

1. A special camera called a laryngoscope is inserted through your mouth and throat to clearly view the larynx and vocal cords.

2. Next, a small piece of moistened sponge is placed in the area to prevent damage to the tissue below the vocal cords.

3. Finally, a very finely focused laser beam is used to make the aforementioned small incision in one or both vocal cords.

This entire process usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes .

What are the benefits of this treatment?

Before the advent of Laser Cordotomy, many people with vocal cord paralysis had to undergo a surgical procedure called a tracheostomy . This involves making a hole in the outside of the neck into the windpipe (trachea) and inserting a tube through it to allow breathing.

This can help improve your breathing, swallowing, and voice function, while also maintaining a high quality of life. Sometimes, Laser Cordotomy surgery can also be performed on someone who already has a tracheostomy to help remove that tube.

Are there any side effects or risks?

Laser Cordotomy is a treatment that doctors often recommend because it is less risky than a tracheostomy. However, as with any surgery, there are some minor risks. These include:

• Bleeding in the larynx.
• Minor injury to the lips, teeth, or palate when the laryngoscope is inserted.
• Formation of scar tissue around the vocal cords.
• Swelling of the vocal cords.

Most of these are temporary, and your doctor will inform you about this.

How long will it take to heal? What should we do?

It usually takes about three months to fully heal after a laser cordotomy. Sometimes, another minor surgery (revision cordotomy) may be necessary to achieve the best results.

During the recovery period, steam inhalation is a good way to soothe your vocal cords. Also, your doctor may recommend vocal rest to help you recover quickly. During this time, you should avoid:

• Talking loudly
• Shouting
• Controlling cough (as much as possible)
• Singing

After surgery, you will be kept in the hospital for about 24 hours for observation. During this time, you will be given intravenous (IV) steroids to control swelling in your vocal cords. After you go home, you may be prescribed antibiotics, steroid pills, and anti-reflux medicines to take for about one to three weeks while you recover.

What time do you want to see the doctor again?

If you notice any signs of complications after surgery, call your doctor immediately. Be especially aware of these symptoms:

• If you experience severe difficulty breathing . (In this case, go directly to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.)
• If you have difficulty swallowing food.
• If there are any sores around the lips or teeth.

laser cordotomy sinhala, vocal cord paralysis sinhala, difficulty breathing, throat surgery, tracheostomy sinhala, voice problems