Longitudinal survey of voice quality after pediatric laryngotracheoplasty

This study assesses the effect of pediatric laryngotracheoplasty on voice quality. A group of ten children who underwent laryngotracheoplasty with thyrotomy and anterior cartilage graft were examined two or more times after decannulation and their voices were compared to those of sex- and age-matched controls. Each examination included a laryngoscopy, evaluation by a speech/language pathologist and measurement of maximum phonation times and fundamental frequencies using the Signalyse program. The strength of the voices and the maximum phonation times gradually improved. The fundamental frequency became lower with age, as in the controls. The data suggest that laryngotracheoplasty does not hamper the development of voice with age in children and that the voice improves without any further surgery, although hoarseness remains.