Functional laryngeal abduction following reimplantation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves

Abstract Functional reinnervation was established in a patient following complete laryngo‐tracheal separation with avulsion of both recurrent laryngeal nerves. Following reattachment of the larynx to the trachea, the severed stumps of the recurrent laryngeal nerves were implanted into the laryngeal abductors (the posterior crico‐arytenoid muscles). One year later the patient had good abduction and adduction of her vocal cords. The abduction is thought to be a result of reinnervation by the recurrent laryngeal nerves, the adduction due to the action of crico‐thyroid muscle whose innervation was undisturbed by the original injury.