Long-term outcomes of bilateral medialisation thyroplasty in patients with vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus

Evaluate long-term voice outcome after bilateral medialisation thyroplasty in glottic insufficiency due to vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus.

Patients after medialisation thyroplasty for vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus were identified. Long-term post-operative subjective voice outcomes (> 1 year) using Voice Handicap Index-30, subjective ratings on voice aspects and study-specific questionnaire were compared to pre-operative and shorter-term (1 year) values.

Thirty-six patients were identified, of which 26 were included (16 atrophy, 10 sulcus) with median follow up of 6.7 years. Mean Voice Handicap Index score at > 1 year (40.0) showed clinically relevant (≥ 15 for groups) and statistically significant improvement compared to pre-operative score (58.1) and remained stable compared to post-operative score (35.7) at one year. Ten patients (56 per cent) reported clinically relevant improvement (≥ 10) after more than five years.

Long-term improvement in subjective voice outcomes is attainable in a significant proportion of patients undergoing bilateral medialisation thyroplasty for atrophy with or without sulcus.