Voice rest after vocal fold surgery: a systematic review of efficacy, duration, and compliance

Vocal rest (VR) is frequently recommended to promote healing and prevent further trauma following vocal cord surgery, despite limited empirical evidence supporting this practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of VR in facilitating recovery and improving outcomes after vocal cord surgery.

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing VR versus no VR after vocal cord surgery was conducted. Two independent reviewers screened studies from PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar using predefined search terms, including "vocal rest after vocal cord surgery," "vocal rest versus no rest after vocal cord surgery," and "voice rest after laryngeal surgery." Inter-reviewer agreement was assessed using the kappa statistic. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed for key outcomes, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for voice quality and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

Of the 275 articles identified, only 5 met the inclusion criteria. The duration of VR varied from 3 to 7 days, depending on surgeons' preferences and clinical experience. Results demonstrated significant improvements in both VAS and VHI scores after surgery with VR compared to no VR. However, heterogeneity in study designs and sample sizes limited the generalizability of these findings.

While VR appears to enhance postoperative recovery and subjective voice quality following vocal cord surgery, the current evidence base remains insufficient to establish VR as a definitive component of postoperative care. Larger, multicenter RCTs are needed to elucidate the role of VR in vocal wound healing and to develop evidence-based guidelines.