Voice Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Bariatric Medicine

Background:

• Obesity negatively impacts vocal quality through physical changes like airway narrowing and reduced lung capacity.
• Bariatric surgery is known to improve obesity-related comorbidities, but its effect on voice outcomes is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the impact of bariatric surgery on voice outcomes.
• To examine changes in acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual voice measures before and after bariatric procedures.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of studies was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases.
• Data from seven selected studies, involving 122 individuals, were analyzed for vocal changes pre- and post-bariatric surgery.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in fundamental frequency (F0) and maximum phonation time (MPT) post-surgery.
• A strong negative correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and both MPT and F0.
• Trends indicated improvements in auditory-perceptual ratings and patient-reported outcomes, though study limitations were noted.

Conclusions:

• Weight loss from bariatric surgery appears to enhance voice outcomes, though the exact mechanisms require further elucidation.
• Otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists should consider pre- and post-surgery voice assessments for bariatric patients.