The use of the mobile voice laboratory in the operating room during type I thyroplasty with Gore-Tex(®).
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study are to demonstrate the use of the mobile voice lab in type I thyroplasty with Gore-Tex(®) using analysis of spectrogram and fundamental frequency in the operating room, and also to show how to do this procedure.


METHODS
Voice samples were recorded in the operating room immediately before and during type I thyroplasty. Six-week postoperative samples were also taken in the voice laboratory. Fundamental frequency and spectral analysis were analyzed. Spectrograms were evaluated by blind panel of 4 judges on a 100mm visual analogue scale. All three time points were compared and statistical analysis performed. Pre and postoperative V-RQOL scores were also compared.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in spectrogram ratings were seen between before and during (P<.001), and before and after voice samples (P<.017). There was no significant difference between during and after scores, suggesting the persistence of the intraoperative improvement in this measure. Changes in fundamental frequency were not statistically significant, although fundamental frequency tended to increase in women and decrease in men after type I thyroplasty. Mean V-RQOL scores improved from 48.08 a 85.08 (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The mobile voice laboratory may be useful during type I thyroplasty with Gore-Tex(®). It offers an opportunity for the surgeon and voice pathologist to continue to collaborate in the treatment of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
Lakeshore Professional Voice Center and Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. guzmanvoz@gmail.com
Marco
M
Guzman
Crystal
C
Coleman
Adam D
AD
Rubin
Joseph
J
Belanger
Cristina
C
Jackson-Menaldi
D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D015588:Observer Variation; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012984:Software; D013018:Sound Spectrography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014833:Voice Quality
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene