Vocal Changes Following Thyroid Surgery: Prospective Study of Objective and Subjective Parameters

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Vocal changes are common after thyroid surgery, but their underlying causes and impact on vocal parameters remain unclear.
• Understanding these vocal morbidities is crucial for patient care and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the objective and subjective vocal changes following thyroid gland surgery.
• To analyze the effects of thyroidectomy on vocal and aerodynamic parameters and patient-reported voice quality.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of 218 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid procedures.
• Vocal and aerodynamic parameters assessed using electroglottography and phonatory aerodynamic system pre- and post-surgery.
• Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) questionnaire administered to evaluate subjective vocal impact.

Main Results:

• 86.6% of patients had no vocal fold motility impairment; the remainder experienced paresis or paralysis.
• Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in maximum phonatory time and VHI-10 scores between groups.
• No significant differences were found in other assessed vocal parameters.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid surgery can lead to significant vocal changes, affecting phonatory duration and perceived voice handicap.
• Further investigation is required to elucidate the mechanisms and extent of vocal alterations post-thyroidectomy.