Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

What is SLADD?
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Posted by: amygs ®
01/30/2004, 10:45:31
I have read a few of you posts about a SLADD? What is it and what are the results (positive and negative)? Amy S



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Re: What is SLADD?
Re: What is SLADD? -- amygs Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Renee ®
01/31/2004, 03:07:35
Actually, the correct denomination is SLADR. SLADR stands for selective laryneal denervation reinnervation. It is a type of surgery used to "correct" ADSD. It was popularized by Dr. Gerald Berke out of UCLA in Los Angeles. This surgery has had its' successes--and it's failures. If you research the "Search" function on this BB you will find LOTS of information on the SLADR surgery. A few years back, many people felt that this was the "cure" for ADSD. (adductor spasmodic dysphonia). Then there were several people who had less than a satisfactory outcome from this surgery. AS with any surgery, there are risks. And there have been quite a few people for whom this surgery has proved like a miracle. I would say research this surgery--or ANY surgery--very carefully before you decide to do it. Weigh the benefits--and the risks. Only YOU can decide this very important decision...


Renee ADSD/ Austin, TEXAS




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Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R)
Re: Re: What is SLADD? -- Renee Top of thread Archive
Posted by: JOHN S. BEEMAN ®
02/03/2004, 11:38:36
Selective Laryngeal Adductor Denveration Reinnveration (SLAD-R)is a procedure popularized by Dr. Berke at UCLA as mentioned by Renee. Unfortunately, the statistics on the success/failure rates are very murky. Some of the difficulty turns on what each individual patient views as "successful outcome". When I had the surgery, the statistic I was given was the procedure had a 95% success rate. Moreover, I was told that the the worst thing that could happen was the spasms might return. Obviously, there are worse things. I've been told (more recently) this percentage has gone down to 90%. We are told it is more successful for women than men. A record of 90 or 95% success vs. continued injections of botox is pretty inviting - even compelling. The question: is it accurate? More needs to be done, I believe to make this information accurate and something patients can and should rely upon. John


Modified by JOHN S. BEEMAN at Wed, Feb 04, 2004, 11:42:35

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Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R)
Re: Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R) -- JOHN S. BEEMAN Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Jeff Brode ®
02/03/2004, 17:33:23
In addition to what John has already stated above, it should also be pointed out that the available literature (so far as I am aware) does not indicate that a patient may be left with permanently paralyzed (in the wide open position) vocal cords. That is my lot. I have been left with many more health problems than a "simple (and permanent)" loss of voice. Breathing and swallowing problems abound. I had the SLAD-R surgery at UCLA in June 2000. It was done by Dr. Berke and Blumin. No one should take the risks of a failed surgery lightly. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like patients are being informed of these risks. That needs to change.


Modified by Jeff Brode at Tue, Feb 03, 2004, 20:20:41

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Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R)
Re: Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R) -- Jeff Brode Top of thread Archive
Posted by: AmyGS ®
02/04/2004, 17:56:54
Hi Jeff,
You mentioned that you had the SLADD surgery and you were left without a voice. Will your voice ever come back? Do the docters have you on physical therapy? Sorry to hear the surgery did not work. Thank you for sharing what happened to you so I don't just jump into the surgery. AMY
P.S. Please email me at amygines@hotmail.com



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Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R)
Re: Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R) -- JOHN S. BEEMAN Top of thread Archive
Posted by: AmyGS ®
02/04/2004, 17:35:25
Hi John,
You said that you had SLAD surgery? Was it successful for you? Do you have perfect speech now? Amy



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Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R)
Re: Re: What is SLADD? (SLAD-R) -- AmyGS Top of thread Archive
Posted by: JOHN S. BEEMAN ®
02/05/2004, 08:13:54
After my surgery in June of 2000, I did not recover a normal speaking voice nor anything close to it. The spasms are gone, but my left vocal cord did not reinnervate sufficiently to make sound. I am now more like someone with AB/SD. My voice is weak and whispy. I developed a compensatory speech mechanisim. I have a sort of low growl that is made by other structures in my throat vibrating and trying to make sound. But I cannot be heard well on the phone (I use a handset that amplifies my voice) or over any sort of background noise.


Modified by JOHN S. BEEMAN at Thu, Feb 05, 2004, 08:16:36

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