Abstract
Objective: Many injectables are available for vocal fold augmentation, but the role of Juvederm Ultra Plus hyaluronic acid gel has not been well examined. This study was conducted to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of office-based injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel in patients with glottic insufficiency (GI).
Method: Prospective case series of 27 patients with GI treated with unsedated office-based injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel over a 20 month period. Preinjection acoustic and aerodynamic measures, Voice Handicap Index, Glottal Function Index, and Dysphonia Severity Index were compared with values recorded at 1 and 4 months postinjection.
Results: Data for 26 patients were available for follow-up analysis at 1 month, and 12 patients’ data were available at 4 months. Etiologies of GI included presbylaryngis (n = 11), unilateral vocal fold paralysis (n = 10), scar (n = 2), and others (n = 5). Eighty-nine percent underwent transoral injection, and 11% received transcervical injections. Significant improvements compared to preinjection levels (P < .03) were shown in all outcome measures at 1 and 4 months, respectively. Although there were no procedural complications, 1 patient required intravenous steroid therapy for temporary glottic inflammation that resolved without permanent sequelae.
Conclusion: The injection of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel is a safe procedure that allows for reliable improvements in objective and subjective outcome measures of vocal function in patients with GI provided the surgeon remains alert for the possibility of postprocedural injection site inflammation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.