Does Tonsillectomy Affect Voice in Early or Late Postoperative Periods in Adults?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of tonsillectomy on voice performance in adults.

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted between January 2013 and June 2015. A total of 26 adults who had tonsillectomy due to chronic tonsillitis or recurrent acute tonsillitis were included in the study. The voice performances of the participants were analyzed with objective and subjective methods before surgery, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. An acoustic voice analysis (fundamental frequency [F0], jitter %, shimmer %) was performed for objective analysis, and Voice Handicap Index survey was used for subjective analysis of the voice. Preoperative F0, jitter %, shimmer %, and Voice Handicap Index values were compared with the values obtained 1 and 3 months after surgery.

Results: Impairment of voice performance was determined when preoperative and postoperative first month F0, jitter %, and shimmer % values were compared. Three months after surgery, those values were found similar to the preoperative values.

Conclusion: Tonsillectomy affects voice performance negatively in adults in short term; however, it does not affect voice performance in long term after surgery.

Keywords: acoustic; long term; short term; tonsillectomy; voice.