Surgical treatment of Reinke's oedema (long-term results)

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the extent to which voice quality recovers and is retained in the long term, and the incidence of recurrence of Reinke's oedema, in patients treated by stripping of the vocal cords. Of 120 patients treated consecutively over an eight-year period, 111 comprised the follow-up investigation group. Only 19 per cent had a normal voice. The remaining 81 per cent had voice problems, and of these, 68 per cent displayed obvious hoarseness, with recurrence of Reinke's oedema in 58 per cent. It is concluded that the long term curative effect of this traditional treatment is over-estimated, and that the elimination of various etiological factors, particularly habitual tobacco smoking and voice abuse, is of prime importance.