Vocal tract discomfort and voice handicap index in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

This study aims to investigate the frequency and severity of vocal tract discomfort (VTD) symptoms and to determine the relationship between VTD and type of thyroidectomy, voice problem history, vocal abuse, and misuse behaviors, and the voice handicap index (VHI) in the thyroidectomy patients undergoing thyroidectomy, pre- and post-operatively pre- and post-thyroidectomy.

The sample comprised 21 thyroidectomy patients undergoing thyroidectomy, including 10 patients with total thyroidectomy and 11 patients with partial thyroidectomy. The participants underwent videolaryngoscopy examination and completed the voice history questionnaire, the VTD scale, and the VHI, before and after the surgery.

Dryness was the most frequently occurring symptom, pre- and post-thyroidectomy. Participants with total thyroidectomy reported significantly higher frequency and severity of tickling than those in the preoperative status (p<.05). The frequency and severity of many VTD symptoms in the participants with voice problems and a vocal abuse and misuse history were higher than those without such a history at both assessment times (p<.05). There was significant correlation between the frequency and severity of VTD and VHI scores, pre-thyroidectomy pre-operatively (r = 0.488-0.575, p<.05).

An increment in the frequency and severity of tickling was reported by total thyroidectomy patients, post-thyroidectomy post-operatively. The type of thyroidectomy, voice problem history, and vocal abuse and misuse behaviors seem to influence the frequency and severity of VTD. Considering the correlation between VTD and VHI, the VTD scale provides important clinical information and can be used for evaluation and consultation purposes.