Peri-operative BiPAP to Prevent Tracheostomy in High-Risk Bilateral Vocal-Cord Paralysis (BVCP)

Why: After thyroid or neck surgery, some patients can lose movement of both vocal cords (bilateral vocal-cord paralysis, BVCP). This can make breathing difficult and often leads to an emergency or preventive tracheostomy ("wind-pipe") surgery. What: This study will test two simple ways to avoid a tracheostomy: Pre-operative BiPAP sleep training - patients practice sleeping with a non-invasive BiPAP breathing machine for seven nights before surgery so they become comfortable with the mask and pressures. Immediate post-extubation BiPAP support - the same BiPAP machine is started as soon as the breathing tube is removed in the operating room or recovery area. How: Adults (18-80 years) who already have, or are at high risk of getting, BVCP will be randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2 × 2 design: • Group 1: training + post-op BiPAP • Group 2: training only • Group 3: post-op BiPAP only • Group 4: standard care (no planned BiPAP). Main goal: To find out whether either or both BiPAP strategies reduce the need for tracheostomy or re-intubation during the first 7 days after surgery. What participants do: Eligible patients will undergo routine surgery plus the assigned BiPAP plan. Breathing events, comfort, hospital stay, and voice quality will be recorded up to 6 months. Potential benefit/risk: BiPAP is non-invasive and already FDA-cleared for home and hospital use, but some people may feel mask discomfort or air leaks. Trained staff will adjust settings and stop BiPAP if serious problems occur.