Correction of dysphonia using laryngeal framework surgical techniques

Abstract

Many dysphonias caused by incomplete glottis closure or inadequate vocal fold tension are eligible for phonosurgical correction. Most phonosurgeons presently advocate laryngeal framework surgery as the first treatment of choice.For correction of incomplete glottis closure usually thyroplasty type 1 and arytenoid adduction techniques are used. For correction of vocal fold tension crico-thyroid approximatidn and thyroplasty type 3 can be used. Often combinations of different techniques are required to achieve the best result. It is therefore essential to perform these procedures under local anaesthesia, so that the voice can be monitored during the surgery and so that the surgery can be tailored to the patient's voice.89 patients underwent laryngeal framework surgery, 85 of them for correction of incomplete glottis closure, which in 75 patients was due to unilateral vocal fold immobility. The results in this group were good also in long term follow-up. Complications were few and insignificant.

Keywords: Phonosurgery; incomplete glottis closure; laryngeal framework surgery; vocal fold tension; voice.