A longitudinal study of voice before and after phonosurgery for removal of a polyp

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the acoustic parameters, perceptual estimation, and self-estimation of voice before, 1 month after, and 6 years after surgical removal of a vocal fold polyp. Subjects were five male patients who came to the Phoniatric Clinic because of breathiness. For all patients, a polyp of one vocal fold was diagnosed. The operation was performed using cold instruments based on the principles of contemporary phonosurgery aiming maximally at preserving the phonatory bridge of the vocal fold. The subjects were recorded in a sound-proof booth three times: before surgery, 1 month post-, and 6 years post-operation. The patients read a short tale and they pronounced a sustained vowel /a/. The following variables were measured: clinical (the distance of the polyp from the anterior commissure, the width of the polyp base and the size of the polyp), and acoustic (F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio, voice turbulence index, degree of voice breaks, and long-term average spectrum). Acoustic variables were measured using the program Praat, while the estimation of voice quality was completed using the GRBAS scale and self-estimation questionnaire of the voice quality, which were answered by the patients. The results showed significant improvement in the variables investigated and improved patients satisfaction with their vocal health after the surgery.