We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cordectomy?

By Andy Josiah
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 8,879
Share

Cordectomy is a term used for a type of oral or maxillofacial surgery that involves removing vocal cords, which are also known as vocal folds. These are bands of muscle that are horizontally located at the larynx. Although the procedure is used for humans, cordectomy is also popular for its application on dogs. The procedure has several alternate terms that usually describe the part of the body affected, the instruments used, or the type of patient operated on.

The word "cordectomy" is of Greek origin. It is based on "chorde," which refers to the vocal cords, and "ektome" which denotes excision or removal. There are several types of cordectomies. For instance, an extended cordectomy sometimes refers to operation of the subglottis, the lower region of the larynx responsible for transporting air to the body's lungs. Another version of the procedure, subepithelial cordectomy, involves removal of lining tissue known as epithelium. A third example is partial posterior cordectomy, which physicians use to widen the airway of the larynx of patients with vocal cord paralysis.

The type of cordectomy that surgeons use depends on the medical condition of the patient or its severity. In humans, it is most commonly used for treating laryngeal carcinoma, a type of cancer that ravages the larynx. Most cases involve occurrence in the glottis, which is the part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords and the space between them. In some instances, however, the cancer may be restricted to the epithelium. Surgeons would need to remove the affected parts to prevent any chances of metastasis, as the cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and the blood.

One of the main instruments surgeons rely on in cordectomies is the endoscope. This is a flexible video camera that can be inserted into the body to examine the area for intended operation, which is why the procedure is sometimes called endoscopic cordectomy. Then a surgical agent known as a cauterant is introduced to destroy the vocal cord by searing, freezing or burning it. Examples of cauterants include searing iron, electric current and carbon dioxide laser.

Cordectomy, when used on dogs, is alternatively named de-barking or surgical bark removal. This is employed by veterinary surgeons as a last resort to curb excessive or chronic barking. Physicians performing cordectomy on dogs go through the mouth or the larynx. Although the latter method is more expensive, it does not leave scar tissue like the former option. After the surgery, dogs have a softer, quieter bark than before.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-cordectomy.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.