title: Acoustic features of voice after septoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in acoustic features of voice after septoplasty and to establish concepts of patient management and a rational therapeutic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and one month after surgery, phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, and i were recorded and digitalized with MDVP (Multi Dimensional Voice Program, Kay Elemetrics) in all patients for an evaluation of nasal resonance, voice handicap index (VHI), and active anterior rhinomanometry. These parameters were estimated: average fundamental frequency (Fo), jitter percent, shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), voice turbulence index (VTI), soft phonation index (SPI), degree of voicelessness (DUV), degree of voice breaks (DVB), and peak amplitude variation (vAm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One month after surgery the data showed an improvement in all the acoustic parameters and a normalization of nasalance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results highlight the impact of septoplasty on nasalance and voice. In selected cases, such as severe nasal septum deviation, the decision to perform septoplasty depends on its potential effect on speech and respiratory function. An objective evaluation of voice and nasalance helps the specialist in the management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. renzomora@libero.it
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jankowska
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dellepiane
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crippa
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D014831:Voice