title: Application of pitch range evaluation subsequent to arytenoid adduction and thyroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to figure out the application of pitch range (PR) evaluation subsequent to arytenoid adduction (AA) combined with type 1 thyroplasty (TP1) in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of clinical records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were 50 patients with UVFP for whom PR and maximum phonation time (MPT) could be evaluated before and 1 year after AA + TP1. Subjects were divided into two groups based on preoperative PR (pre-PR) (group 1: ≤1 semitone (ST); group 2: ≥2 ST). Correlations among pre-PR and post-PR, MPT, and age were assessed. We also evaluated PRs in subjects with PR deterioration and PRs by causative diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PR was significantly extended from a median of 17.0-22.0 ST in all subjects. Pre-PR was correlated with post-PR. Post-PR correlated with post-MPT in group 2 but not in group 1. There was no correlation between post-PR and age or causative diseases. The mean change in PR among subjects with PR deterioration (28.0%, 14/50) was -3.6 ST. Pre-PR and the improvement of post-PR were negatively correlated in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PR evaluation can be useful for predicting post-PR. The effects of age and causative diseases were small compared with other factors, such as pre-PR width and surgical effects. The successful surgery may improve both PR and MPT. However, several cases showed obvious discrepancy of those postoperative improvements. It will be necessary to assess this discrepancy, particularly in subjects with postoperative voice insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: ujimotokn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ujimoto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Konomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Tokyo Voice Center, International University of Health and Welfare, Sanno Hospital, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Daigo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Komazawa
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D058753:Laryngoplasty; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Arytenoid adduction; Pitch range; Thyroplasty; Vocal fold paralysis; Voice therapy