Oral Corticosteroids in Vocal Fold Paralysis After Thyroid Surgery

What is the efficacy of oral corticosteroids in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP) after thyroidectomy or parathyroid surgery?In this randomized clinical trial including 26 patients with unilateral VFP, vocal cord remobilization at day 7 occurred in 46% of the corticosteroid group vs 45% of the placebo group. Similarly, voice quality, assessed by a standard scale, did not differ between groups at any time point.Results of this study suggest that oral corticosteroids do not improve vocal cord remobilization or voice quality in postoperative unilateral VFP; speech therapy remains the cornerstone of management.

Corresponding Author: Florent Carsuzaa, MD, PhD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Service d’ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, 2 rue de la Milétrie, F-86000 Poitiers, France (florent.carsuzaa@gmail.com).

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