title: Effect of voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyps: a prospective, historically controlled, clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of post-operative voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyp removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study retrospectively enrolled 55 consecutive patients who had undergone voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery for vocal polyp removal occurring between June 2010 and June 2011. A historical group of 63 similar patients not receiving voice therapy was used as an external control. We compared voice analysis parameters and Voice Handicap Index scores for the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most objective and subjective voice outcome parameters were significantly improved after surgical treatment. Although the study and control groups showed no significant difference regarding objective parameters (using acoustic and aerodynamic analysis) or the subjective parameters assessed using the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale, the study group had significantly better final Voice Handicap Index scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following surgery for vocal polyps, post-operative voice therapy can improve patients' vocal discomfort, emotional responses and everyday self-perception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: K-Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: S-Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: J-S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: J-G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: E-H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S-K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D011127:Polyps / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*; D014834:Voice Training