Patients' and Providers' Experience With Medialization Thyroplasty: A Prospective Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Anesthesiology
• Patient Experience Research

Background:

• Medialization thyroplasty (MT) is a surgical procedure to improve voice quality.
• Procedural sedation is commonly used for MT, but patient and provider experiences are not well-documented.
• Evaluating patient and provider satisfaction is crucial for optimizing MT outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient satisfaction with procedural sedation during MT.
• To evaluate surgeon and anesthesiologist experiences and perceptions during MT.
• To compare patient and provider perspectives on sedation and surgical conditions.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 53 patients undergoing MT.
• Validated questionnaires (QoR-15, Bauer Patient's Satisfaction) assessed patient recovery and satisfaction.
• Provider surveys included Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Main Results:

• Patients reported high satisfaction with anesthesia care (74.5%) and pain management (63.8%).
• No significant difference was found in patient recovery scores (QoR-15) preoperatively and postoperatively.
• Providers demonstrated differing perceptions regarding patient anxiety, comfort, and surgical conditions, despite agreement on sedation levels during specific surgical phases.

Conclusions:

• Procedural sedation for MT is well-tolerated by patients, leading to high satisfaction.
• Discrepancies in provider perceptions underscore the need for enhanced communication during MT.
• This study provides valuable prospective insights into the multifaceted experiences associated with MT.