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Voice gains following thyroplasty may improve over time
C R Billante1, J Clary, P Childs
1Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, USA. cbillante1964@aol.com
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|May 8, 2002
Summary
Type I thyroplasty significantly improves voice in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Vocal function continues to enhance for up to one year post-surgery, demonstrating sustained benefits.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Voice Science
Background:
- Unilateral vocal fold paralysis significantly impairs voice quality and function.
- Type I thyroplasty is a surgical intervention aimed at restoring voice in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate voice measures before and at 3 months and 1 year after Type I thyroplasty.
- To determine if initial postoperative vocal improvements are maintained or enhanced over time.
Main Methods:
- Forty patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis underwent Type I thyroplasty (with or without arytenoid adduction).
- Voice was assessed using perceptual, acoustic, and aerodynamic measures at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Perceptual voice quality showed progressive improvement over the first year.
- Acoustic measures of perturbation improved, while pitch and intensity ranges increased.
- Aerodynamic measures demonstrated normalized glottal flow and significantly longer phonation times, with sustained benefits.
Conclusions:
- Voice outcomes following Type I thyroplasty progressively evolve over 12 months.
- Both perceptual and objective voice measures show significant improvement at 3 months, with many further enhanced by 1 year post-surgery.