title: Microsurgery of sulcus vergeture with carbon dioxide laser and injectable collagen.
abstract: Between January 1989 and June 1998, we operated on 45 patients for sulcus vergeture. The studied population encompassed 38 women (84%) and 7 men (16%). The median age was 36 (range 12 to 71 years). The surgical technique is based on a concept of Cornut and Bouchayer according to which the dissection of the epithelium adherent to the deep subepithelial plane improves the vocal fold vibration. Dissection is performed with a single-pulsed carbon dioxide laser at 2 to 3 W with a pulse duration of 0.1 second. We use the Super-pulse microwave. The Acuspot micromanipulator provides a spot size of 250 microm at 350-mm focal length. When the vocal fold is atrophic, surgery is completed with a bovine or autologous collagen injection; the median injected quantity is 0.3 mL (range 0.1 to 0.4 mL). The epithelial microflap is redraped with fibrin glue. Voice therapy is indispensable for correcting the associated hyperkinetic dysphonia. The median postoperative follow-up period is 5 months (range 1 to 18 months). In terms of median values, the maximum phonation time improved from 9 to 13 seconds, the phonation quotient improved from 296.5 to 228.5 mL/s, and the spectral analysis distribution improved by 1 class. Stroboscopic examination reveals an improvement of the vibratory symmetry, amplitude, and wave. Subjectively, the patients describe an improved ability for vocal effort and the regression or disappearance of vocal fatigue. Although the timbre is improved, the voice often remains breathy and hoarse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Louvain at Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Remacle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Degols
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Evrard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jamart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D010699:Phonation; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D014834:Voice Training
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen