Laryngeal Reinnervation Made Easy

Saturday, October 17, 2026

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Location: 501AC

Moderator(s)

SS

Shaum S. Sridharan, MD

Associate Professor
UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Panelist(s)

LS

Libby J. Smith, DO

Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Sewickley, PA, United States
JO

Julina Ongkasuwan, MD

Professor, Chief of Laryngology
Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States

Disclosure(s):

Libby J. Smith, DO:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This educational session will provide general otolaryngologists with a comprehensive, practical introduction to laryngeal reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Using case-based examples and high-definition surgical videos, we will demonstrate the ansa cervicalis-to-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis technique in a step-by-step fashion.
The presentation will cover:
- Evidence-based indications and patient selection criteria for laryngeal reinnervation
- Comparative outcomes between LR, type 1 thyroplasty, and injection augmentation, including long-term voice results and revision rates
- Technical pearls for performing ansa cervicalis-to-RLN anastomosis
- Practical guidance for incorporating LR into a general otolaryngology practice

Learning Objectives:

Understand indications and contraindications of laryngeal reinnervation in the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis
Understand and describe the operative steps in laryngeal reinnervation
Describe other adjunct procedures that may be utilized with laryngeal reinnervation to improve outcomes in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis