Functional results of Reinke's edema surgery using a microdebrider

We evaluated the functional results of Reinke's edema surgery using a microdebrider.

In this prospective nonrandomized study from 2004 through 2008, functional surgery using a microdebrider was performed on patients with severe Reinke's edema. Comparisons were conducted for preoperative and postoperative phonatory function using both subjective grade (G), roughness (R), breathiness (B), asthenia (A), and strain (S) scoring and objective Multi-Dimensional Voice Program parameters. Statistical analysis was done by paired t-test, and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 56 years and a median observation period of 129 days. The male-to-female ratio was 1 to 2.4. No major complications were observed in the perioperative period. Significant improvement was observed in the subjective values of G, R, B, and S. Improvement was also observed in the fundamental frequency, pitch perturbation quotient, and amplitude perturbation quotient calculated by the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program.

The microdebrider is a useful tool in functional surgery for severe Reinke's edema and gives good functional outcomes. Surgeons can swiftly complete the key steps of removing pathological submucosal tissue and preserving the normal epithelium with an excellent surgical view.