The temporary effect of short-term endotracheal intubation on vocal function

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Anesthesiology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure during general anesthesia.
• Potential side effects include vocal and pharyngeal discomfort.
• Understanding the impact of intubation parameters on voice quality is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess vocal and pharyngeal symptoms post-intubation.
• To analyze acoustic voice changes after short-term endotracheal intubation.
• To correlate these changes with intubation parameters and anesthesia factors.

Main Methods:

• 108 patients evaluated preoperatively and at 1-2 and 24 hours post-extubation.
• Vocal/pharyngeal symptoms, acoustic voice analysis, and maximum phonation time (MPT) were measured.
• Statistical analysis correlated voice changes with endotracheal tube size, cuff volume, intubation attempts, anesthesia duration, and anesthesiologist experience.

Main Results:

• Vocal and pharyngeal symptoms significantly increased 24 hours post-intubation.
• Acoustic parameters showed significant changes at 1-2 hours, including decreased MPT and increased relative average perturbation.
• Endotracheal tube size, cuff volume, and intubation attempts significantly impacted vocal function (P < 0.05).
• Anesthesia duration and anesthesiologist experience did not show significant correlations with voice changes.

Conclusions:

• Short-term endotracheal intubation causes temporary vocal dysfunction.
• Endotracheal tube characteristics and intubation attempts are key determinants of voice changes.
• While invasive, the temporary vocal effects of endotracheal anesthesia warrant attention.