Laryngeal Nerve Reinnervation

• Laryngeal nerve reinnervation can strengthen and clarify your child’s voice.
• After the procedure, the muscles that move the vocal cords become stronger over time, so your child does not get tired from speaking.
• The procedure can help your child breathe more easily and avoid an opening in the throat (tracheostomy) and breathing tube.
• It can also prevent choking or inhaling food or liquids when they are eating or drinking.
• Unlike temporary injections to bulk up the vocal cords, laryngeal nerve reinnervation results are lasting. 

Risks of laryngeal nerve reinnervation include:

• No improvement in the vocal cord function
• Voice changes

Consulting a board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) who specializes in children’s care minimizes risks. 

• The doctor will physically examine your child and may recommend a laryngoscopy, where the doctor inserts a tube into your child’s throat to get a clear look at the voice box and vocal cords. 
• Experts in other specialties such as speech pathologists may work together to evaluate your child and make sure laryngeal nerve reinnervation is the best choice. 

Laryngeal nerve reinnervation takes place in a hospital operating room and takes about two hours.

1. Your child is asleep under general anesthesia. 
2. The surgeon makes a small surgical opening in the neck to reach the voice box.
3. The surgeon moves a nerve from your child’s neck or chest and connects it to the voice box. 

• Your child may spend a day or two in the hospital under observation. 
• Healing is very gradual: It takes several months to see the full improvement of your child’s vocal cord function. 
• Speech therapy helps retrain your child’s voice and speech.