Multivariate Analysis of Risk Factors in the Development of a Lower-Pitched Voice After Thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid surgeons frequently encounter outpatients with mobile vocal cords complaining of lower-pitched voices following thyroidectomy. This study investigated the clinical and pathological parameters affecting voice pitch following thyroid surgery.


METHODS
We analyzed the data of 393 patients with mobile vocal cords and who also underwent thyroid surgery. Speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) and fundamental frequency (F0) were compared before and after surgery.


RESULTS
Approximately 26.7% of patients had significantly lowered SFFs (ΔSFF ≥ 12 Hz), and 30.2% exhibited significantly lower sustained vowel F0s (ΔF0 ≥ 12 Hz) following thyroid surgery. On multivariate analysis, only gender: female remained a significant predictor of a clinically significant change in SFF following thyroid surgery ( P < .001). Gender: female and extent of surgery: total remained significant predictors of a clinically significant change in F0 after surgery ( P = .006 and P = .007, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Appreciable proportions of patients experience lower-pitched voice and related vocal symptoms early after thyroid surgery. Such problems develop more frequently in females who underwent total thyroidectomy.
1 Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea.
Jun-Ook
JO
Park
2 Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Ja-Sung
JS
Bae
2 Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
So-Hee
SH
Lee
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Mi-Ran
MR
Shim
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yeon-Shin
YS
Hwang
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Young-Hoon
YH
Joo
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Young Hak
YH
Park
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Dong-Il
DI
Sun
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014831:Voice; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
thyroidectomy; voice quality