Abstract
Objectives
Standard treatments of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) provide temporary relief of symptoms. Type 2 thyroplasty offers a long-term solution; however, long-term voice outcome data are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term voice outcomes of type 2 thyroplasty with titanium bridges through use of a validated voice questionnaire.
Study Design
Case series with chart review.
Setting
University hospital.
Subjects and Methods
Forty-seven consecutively enrolled patients with AdSD underwent type 2 thyroplasty with titanium bridges between August 2006 and November 2014. Questionnaires were completed during regularly scheduled follow-ups and, in some cases, were sent to patients who missed follow-up appointments. In 2015, questionnaires were mailed to all 47 patients and included a Voice Handicap Index–10 evaluation, as well as questions on postoperative vocal symptoms, surgical site, and status of the implanted titanium bridges.
Results
Of 47 patients with AdSD, 31 (66%) completed the questionnaires. The average follow-up interval was 41.3 months. No patient reported experiencing an adverse event around the surgical site, and almost all were satisfied with their voices postoperatively. The mean postoperative (>3 years) Voice Handicap Index–10 score improved significantly, from 26.3 to 9.4 (n = 17, P = .0009).
Conclusions
Type 2 thyroplasty for AdSD significantly improved patient quality of life and voice symptoms and continued to do so long after the surgery. The results of this study suggest that type 2 thyroplasty provides relief from vocal symptoms in patients with AdSD for >3 years.
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