A 52-year-old woman undergoes total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Intraoperatively, the surgeon identifies the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and carefully preserves it. However, postoperatively, the patient develops hoarseness and difficulty with phonation. On laryngoscopy, the left vocal cord is found in the paramedian position. What is the most appropriate immediate next step in management?