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Adjustable Vocal Implant System (VOIS) for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Short-Term Outcomes From a 12-Patient
Sam Kebbe1, Michael Keane1, Chuanyu Gao2
1Leicester Medical School, George Davies Centre, Leicester, UK.
Background:
Unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP) significantly affects phonation and swallowing. While injection laryngoplasty and medialisation thyroplasty are effective, both may require revision. Vocal Implant System (VOIS; APrevent Biotech GmbH) is an adjustable titanium-silicone thyroplasty implant that allows postoperative modification, potentially reducing the need for further surgery.
Methods:
Twelve patients, seven male and five female, underwent VOIS implantation. Voice outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively using the GRBAS scale and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10).
Results:
The composite GRBAS score improved significantly from 9.0 ± 1.87 to 3.75 ± 2.49 (p = 0.0024). The VHI-10 decreased from 25.75 ± 9.36 to 14.92 ± 9.55 (p = 0.0093). No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Two patients required postoperative implant volume adjustments-one performed in clinic and one under local anaesthetic in theatre.
Conclusion:
The VOIS implant thyroplasty demonstrated significant improvement in both perceptual and patient-reported voice outcomes with a favourable safety profile. Larger, long-term studies are warranted to confirm its comparative efficacy and durability.
