title: Quality-of-life assessment in patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to identify the impact of unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) on an individual's quality of life both before and after thyroplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational outcome study of consecutive patients presenting to a laryngology clinic with UVCP. Participants received The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and the Voice Outcome Survey (VOS). Patients underwent medialization laryngoplasty with silastic, with or without arytenoid adduction. Outcome measures were repeated after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A review of 45 patients at presentation revealed statistically significant reductions in quality of life as measured by each survey. Marked improvements were noted after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preoperative data support a profile of significant general health-related and voice-related limitations caused by UVCP. Patient perceptions improved significantly after the surgical treatment of glottal insufficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SF-36, VHI, and VOS provide an important complement to traditional endpoints in the analysis of patients with UVCP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2559, USA. brian.spector@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Netterville
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Billante
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clary
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reinisch
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery