Mechanical and dynamic aspects of voice production as related to voice therapy and phonosurgery

Laryngeal framework surgery can change the position and tension of the vocal folds safely without direct surgical intervention in the vocal fold proper. Some 23 years of experience with phonosurgery have proved its usefulness in treating dysphonia related to unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold atrophy, and pitch-related dysphonias. Meanwhile, much information about the mechanism of voice production has been obtained through intraoperative findings of voice and fiberscopic examination of the larynx. Based on such knowledge together with information obtained through model experiments, the human vocal organ was reconsidered mainly from the mechanical view point, and the roles of voice therapy and singing pedagogy were discussed in relation to phonosurgery. The vocal organ may not be an ideal musical organ and is rather vulnerable, but its potential is enormous.