Videostroboscopic Evaluation of the Vocal Cords before and after Microlaryngeal Phonosurgery for Benign Lesions

Abstract

Background: Benign vocal lesions are common clinical and surgical problems affecting individuals with high vocal demand. These lesions are assessed and treated in different ways. Good phonatory function can be achieved by proper diagnosis, perfect surgical technique and good voice rehabilitation.  Videostroboscopy is an important tool to assess the dynamic properties of vocal cord mucosa, the phonatory functional part.

Study design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To evaluate the postoperative results of microlaryngeal phonosurgery by the use of videostroposcopy.

Method: Twenty patients with benign vocal lesions were included and studied. Videostroboscopic examination was undertaken preoperatively, one week and one month postoperatively.

Results and discussion: There were significant differences of videostroboscopic parameters between preoperative and postoperative examinations; there was an improvement in most of these parameters one week after surgery, except for, closure pattern and duration of closure where they had been shown to be improved one month after surgery.

Conclusion: Videostroboscopy is an excellent tool to assess and understand vocal cord mucosal vibration changes before and after microlaryngeal phonosurgery and recommended to be used in routine outpatient examination of patients with benign vocal lesions especially those who required surgical treatment.