Effect of voice therapy on vocal fold polyp treatment

To investigate the role of voice therapy (VT) and factors that may affect the response to VT in the treatment of vocal fold polyps, especially as a complement to phonosurgery.

Retrospective review of patients with vocal fold polyp undergoing surgery and/or VT in a tertiary medical center. The demographic data, phoniatric history, videolaryngostroboscopic findings, polyp characteristics, VHI-10 and GRB scores, and voice analysis data were recorded before and after the treatment. The patients were grouped as those who had undergone endolaryngeal microsurgery only (Group S), those who had first received VT then undergone surgery due to inadequate VT outcome (Group VTpS), and those who had only undergone VT with a follow-up plan (Group VT).

Data were reviewed from 211 (108 M, 103 F) patients with a mean age of 41.3 ± 11 years. The improvement in all voice-related variables observed in the S and VTpS groups was significantly greater compared to the VT group despite the degree of improvement achieved in this group. At the end of the treatment period, improvements in G-R-B, VHI-10 and stroboscopy scores were significantly greater in the VTpS group than in the S and VT groups.

Voice therapy can improve voice quality to some extent during the treatment of vocal fold polyps. However, VT alone is unsatisfactory compared to surgery alone. Pre-surgical VT can enhance the ultimate success of treatment. A young age, small polyps, and short duration of dysphonia may increase the possibility of benefiting from VT.