Cordectomy

Cordectomy is the surgical removal of a cord. It usually refers to removal of one or both vocal cords, often for the purpose of treating laryngeal cancer. The word is derived from the Greek, combining chorde and ektome meaning excision. It can be carried out by traditional surgical techniques or, increasingly, by carbon dioxide laser. CO2 laser cordectomy has allowed the treatment of glottic carcinoma as a day case procedure. The procedure has also been carried out by veterinarians to reduce the volume of incessant barking by dogs, where it is called debarking. In humans, this type of operation is usually done by otolaryngologists.