title: Long-term functional outcome after unilateral cordectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to longitudinally analyze the vocal outcome after endoscopic CO(2) laser resection of early glottic carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients treated with laser surgery for T1 or T2 tumors of the vocal cords received voice therapy and were examined 1, 2, 3, 4.5, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Besides videolaryngostroboscopy, each examination included history, phonetogram of the speaking and the singing voice, language-specific hoarseness diagram and a questionnaire (Voice Handicap Index 12 in German).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Objective parameters demonstrated a broad variability with a slight tendency of improvement over time. For the maximal phonation time a nearly constant improvement was seen. After an initial improvement deterioration for subjective assessment in the Voice Handicap Index was noted in most patients 3-6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The functional outcome after cordectomy is variable. MESSAGE OF THE PAPER: Discrepancies between objective findings and patient satisfaction over time have to be considered after cordectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department for ENT and Communication Disorders, Mainz University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany. annerose.keilmann@unimedizin-mainz.de
authors.forename: Annerose
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keilmann
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Napiontek
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Todsaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakarat
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006685:Hoarseness; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013060:Speech; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*; D014831:Voice