<prompt> Which of the following is the most common cause of vocal cord palsy?TraumaMalignancyInflammatorySurgical  <response>: Surgical trauma is the most common cause of vocal cord palsy. Vocal cord paralysis is most commonly iatrogenic in nature following surgery to thyroid, parathyroid, carotid or cardiothoracic structures. Vocal cord palsy can be attributed to the following causes: Surgical trauma 44deg Malignancy 17deg: BronchialEsophagealNasopharyngealthyroid Endotracheal intubation 15deg Neurologic disease 12 Idiopathic causes 12 