title: Comparative study of vocal outcomes with silicone versus Gore-Tex thyroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined vocal outcomes of patients who underwent type I thyroplasty for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Specifically, the vocal outcomes were compared between 15 patients whose thyroplasties were performed with silicone and 15 patients whose thyroplasties were performed with Gore-Tex.
  
  
  METHODS
  The examined clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. The vocal outcomes were evaluated by aerodynamic and acoustic measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aerodynamic examination indicated significant postoperative improvements in the maximum phonation time and mean flow rate in both groups. Shimmer was significantly improved only in the Gore-Tex group. A direct comparison between groups showed no significant difference in the degree of improvement of the vocal parameters, except for a significant improvement in the noise-to-harmonics ratio in the Gore-Tex group. The duration of surgery was significantly less in the Gore-Tex group than in the silicone group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gore-Tex thyroplasty is considered to be comparable to silicone thyroplasty in terms of postoperative vocal outcomes. Gore-Tex thyroplasty enables a less invasive procedure with a shorter surgical duration and easier adjustment of medialization due to its flexibility.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Suehiro
authors: Shigeru
authors: S
authors: Hirano
authors: Yo
authors: Y
authors: Kishimoto
authors: Shinzo
authors: S
authors: Tanaka
authors: Charles N
authors: CN
authors: Ford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012828:Silicones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014831:Voice / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene