thumb|right | An Adam's apple
Chondrolaryngoplasty (commonly called tracheal shave, but this is a misnomer as the trachea is not involved) is a surgical procedure in which the thyroid cartilage is reduced in size by shaving down the cartilage through an incision in the throat, generally to aid those who are uncomfortable with the girth of their Adam's apple.
An alternative to this procedure is feminization laryngoplasty, albeit this procedure involves additional risks and has an effect on the voice that the patient may not desire.
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Surgery
The technique was originally described by Francis G. Wolfort and Richard G. Parry and has been developed since.
After an anesthetic (local or general,
If the patient's voice is affected, they can choose to undergo feminization laryngoplasty to resolve these issues and retighten the vocal folds. Feminization laryngoplasty is also capable of further reducing the Adam's apple after a tracheal shave if the patient finds the reduction done after an initial shave inadequate, as it explicitly removes tissue that is normally avoided by the surgeon during a tracheal shave.
Recovery
It is recommended by many surgeons that the patient frequently rub the site of the incision to prevent noticeable scar tissue from forming. Swelling and bruising around the site of the incision is common, and patients may also experience difficulty swallowing and speaking, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the individual.
The average time for complete recovery is about two weeks, although it can sometimes take longer if the patient has pre-existing medical conditions such as anemia.
The majority of patients are satisfied with the outcome of this surgery. The most common complaints from those unsatisfied are that they still feel that their Adam's apple is too big or that the scar is too noticeable.