The Laryngoscope
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Results of intracordal Teflon injection for symptoms of unilateral vocal cord paralysis have been excellent. There seems to be no significant long-term foreign body reaction or limitation to maximum airflows. However, acute inflammatory reactions and airflow obstruction have been reported. ⋯ At 24 hours after the injection this ratio increased from a baseline of .098 +/- 0.50 (mean +/- S. D.) to 1.41 +/- 0.67 (P less than 0.01), and returned to baseline values in 10 days (0.95 +/- 0.14). We conclude that Teflon injection into a paralyzed vocal cord creates a significant inspiratory airway obstruction that is reversible in 10 days.