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Voice and vocal self-assessment after thyroidectomy
Irene de Pedro Netto1, Aline Fae, José Guilherme Vartanian
1Department of Voice, Speech and Swallowing Rehabilitation, Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer A.C.Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Head & Neck
|August 26, 2006
Summary
Thyroidectomy often causes voice changes, even with healthy laryngeal nerves. This study found voice alterations are more common after thyroid surgery than breast surgery, with orotracheal intubation being only one contributing factor.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Endocrinology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Voice alterations can occur post-thyroidectomy despite preserved laryngeal nerve function.
- The impact of orotracheal intubation on voice changes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate voice changes before and after thyroid surgery.
- To assess the specific role of orotracheal intubation in post-thyroidectomy voice alterations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective nonrandomized study comparing thyroidectomy patients with a breast surgery control group.
- Utilized videolaryngoscopy, subjective and objective voice analysis, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaires pre- and post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Thyroidectomy patients showed larynx alterations (28%) and subjective voice changes (29.7%) more frequently than controls.
- Acoustic analysis revealed increased voice turbulence index (VTI) in both groups, notably higher in the thyroidectomy group.
- Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores indicated more frequent voice complaints in the thyroidectomy group.
Conclusions:
- Voice alterations are common after thyroidectomy, even with preserved vocal fold mobility.
- These alterations are more prevalent compared to patients undergoing breast surgery.
- Orotracheal intubation is identified as one of several factors contributing to voice changes.
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