Outpatient Fat Injection Shows Promise for Voice Problems

Three Patients Regain Voice Quality Without General Anesthesia

This small study explored a new approach for treating vocal cord paralysis. Researchers used processed fat from patients' own bodies to restore voice function. The procedure was performed while patients were awake, using only local numbing medication. All three patients experienced lasting voice improvements over 12 months.

Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one vocal cord cannot move properly. This creates a gap that affects speech and can cause swallowing problems. Traditional treatments often require surgery under general anesthesia. This study tested whether a simpler outpatient approach could work just as well.

Lipogems® Creates Smooth, Injectable Fat Tissue

The researchers used Lipogems® technology to prepare the fat for injection. This device processes fat tissue into a smooth, fluid form that flows easily through small needles. The resulting material contains regenerative cells called mesenchymal stem cells (cells that support tissue healing).

The Lipogems® processing removes blood and connective tissue that could cause inflammation. The fat clusters are smaller than traditional liposuction produces. This creates more surface area for the tissue to survive and integrate into the vocal cord.

Procedure Completed in Office Setting with Local Anesthesia

Each patient had fat collected from their abdomen using standard liposuction under local numbing. The harvested fat was then processed through the Lipogems® device. Doctors used a flexible camera inserted through the nose to see the vocal cords directly.

After numbing the throat with lidocaine spray, doctors injected the processed fat into the paralyzed vocal cord. They slightly overfilled the area to account for minor tissue loss during healing. The entire procedure required no operating room or general anesthesia. Patients went home the same day after about 30 minutes of monitoring.

All Three Patients Showed Meaningful Voice Improvement

The study followed three patients for at least 12 months:

• Patient 1: A 63-year-old woman with paralysis after tumor removal surgery

• Patient 2: A 72-year-old man with paralysis following lung cancer surgery

• Patient 3: A 65-year-old woman with paralysis after thyroid removal

All three experienced substantial improvements in voice quality measures:

• Maximum phonation time (how long patients could hold a note) nearly doubled in all cases

• Voice Handicap Index scores dropped significantly, showing better daily function

• Professional voice quality ratings improved across multiple categories

These improvements remained stable throughout the full 12-month follow-up period.

No Complications Reported During Treatment or Recovery

The procedure was well tolerated by all three patients. No bleeding, infection, or breathing problems occurred. The combination of local anesthesia and mild sedation kept patients comfortable throughout. Recovery was quick, with patients returning to normal activities shortly after treatment.

Results Suggest Regenerative Cells May Provide Lasting Benefits

The researchers noted that voice improvements remained constant over the full year of follow-up. This stability hints that the mesenchymal stem cells in the processed fat may provide regenerative benefits beyond simple volume replacement. Traditional fat injections sometimes lose volume over time as the body absorbs the tissue.

What This Means for Your Treatment Decision

This study offers encouraging early evidence for patients with vocal cord paralysis. The procedure combines several advantages: using your own tissue (avoiding rejection risks), requiring only local anesthesia, and being performed in an office setting rather than an operating room.

However, this was a very small study with only three patients. While all showed improvement, larger studies are needed to confirm these results. The 12-month follow-up is promising, but longer-term data would help establish how durable the benefits are.

If you have vocal cord paralysis, discuss this option with your doctor. They can help determine whether this approach might work for your specific situation based on the cause and severity of your condition.

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Source: Saibene et al., B-ENT, 2015.