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Published on: June 13, 2017
Comparison of voice outcomes after trial and long-term vocal fold augmentation in vocal fold atrophy
VyVy N Young1, Jackie Gartner-Schmidt, Clark A Rosen
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To compare voice outcomes after vocal fold augmentation using a trial (temporary) vocal fold injection (VFI) versus long-term augmentation in patients diagnosed with vocal fold atrophy.
Study Design:
Retrospective, single-blinded study.
Methods:
Nineteen patients diagnosed with vocal fold atrophy underwent trial VFI and subsequent long-term augmentation. Voice Handicap Index-10, acoustic, and aerodynamic measures were analyzed following trial and long-term augmentation procedures.
Results:
Forty-two percent (8/19) of patients had a good response to trial VFI (P < .0001); 58% (11/19) had a poor response to trial VFI (P = .95). Of the patients with good response to trial VFI, 75% (6/8) also had good response to long-term augmentation (P = .006), but 25% (2/8) reported a poor response to long-term treatment. Of the patients who had a poor response to trial VFI, 55% (6/11) also had a poor response to long-term treatment, but 45% (5/11) of patients reported good response after long-term augmentation.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to provide comparative voice outcomes using both trial VFI and long-term augmentation for vocal fold atrophy. Additional critical evaluation of the value of trial VFI for vocal fold atrophy patients is suggested.
