Acoustic assessment of the voice quality before and after medialization thyroplasty using the titanium vocal fold medialization implant (TVFMI).
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to objectify the vocal outcome in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Acoustic parameters were evaluated and compared to perceptual voice sound assessments before and after medialization thyroplasty using the titanium vocal fold medialization implant (TVFMI).


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients underwent external medialization thyroplasty using TVFMI. Prior to and after surgery videostroboscopy, perceptual voice evaluation and acoustic analysis based on the computerized "hoarseness diagram" were performed.


RESULTS
In videostroboscopy, most patients showed an almost complete glottal closure after thyroplasty. The statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in the perceptual voice parameters (p<0.001). The acoustic measurements could objectify the positive impact on the voice after thyroplasty (p< or =0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm that the TVFMI is an excellent and individually adjustable device for medialization thyroplasty. The "hoarseness diagram" allows the vocal outcome after surgery to be documented and objectified in an easy and reliable manner.
Schneider
Berit
B
Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Section of Phoniatrics-Logopedics, University of Vienna, Vienna Medical School / Austria, General Hospital, Veinna, Austria. Berit.Schneider@akh-wien.ac.at
Denk
Doris-Maria
DM
Bigenzahn
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords; D014833:Voice Quality
D014025:Titanium