Voice Restoration Surgery- Ear Nose And Throat (ENT)
Surgeries that are focusing on the voice are known as phonosurgery. These are done to enhance voice functioning. Today, the techniques for phonosurgery involve phonomicrosurgery with access to the larynx, laryngoplasty, laryngeal injections and reinnervation of the larynx.
Why is voice restoration surgery required?
The phonosurgeon, working together with a speech pathologist as well as the voice care team, will suggest phonomicrosurgery to patients with voice problems that are caused by:
- Vocal cord abnormalities that will respond to voice treatment or medical treatment
- Vocal fold abnormalities that appear like cancer
Specific Indications
Along with medical and voice treatments and with lifestyle changes when required, phonomicrosurgery can be very effective in treating and enhancing the voice of patients with the following voice problems:
- Vocal fold nodules
- Vocal fold polyps
- Vocal fold cysts
- Vocal fold pseudocysts
- Vocal overlap granulomas
- Vocal fold blood vessel problems
- Vocal fold papillomatosis
- Vocal fold atypia or leukoplakia
- Laryngeal early cancers
- Vocal fold scarring
Which doctor to consult?
Talk to a otolaryngologist/ENT surgeon, who will explain to you about the procedure, the risks and after-care. They often work together with a speech pathologist and/or the voice care team.
What to expect during voice restoration surgery?
Phonomicrosurgery is a precise procedure that includes some components.
The phonosurgeon views the larynx or voice box through a laryngoscope that is placed into the mouth and progressed down the throat to reveal the larynx. Likewise, surgical instruments can also reach the vocal cords through the tube.
The vocal folds are seen through an operating microscope, which gives a focused, amplified view. The amplified image is then shown on a screen for viewing.
Prior to continuing, the doctor reevaluates the vocal folds with more prominent amplification. Cautious review of the tissues with specific instruments permits a re-appraisal of the vocal folds problems.
Specific instruments are then used to perform this procedure on the vocal folds under magnified views through a magnifying lens. The abnormalities are carefully removed while normal tissue is left unharmed.
Post-operative care
Here are some things that you should anticipate after surgery:
- Sore throat and mild pain on the incision site
- An incision at the front of the neck covered by a dressing
- A small drain or tube under the dressing, which may then be removed a day after the surgery
- Blood-tinged drainage from the wound during the initial two to three days, which is normal
You should rest your voice 72 hours after the procedure to prevent mild bleeding and irritation. Mild swelling of the vocal folds will soon subside. After 72 hours, you can start talking again, as the vocal cords may have healed at this point.
Complications
Swelling or wound infections may rarely occur. Infections may be treated by antibiotics.
Silicone implantation may cause allergies and revision may be done, however this is uncommon. Complications that require revisions are rare and may be due to implant extrusion and cartilage dislocation.
Rarely, vocal cord paresis on one side may cause difficulty of breathing.
At Mya Care, you can connect for a Voice Restoration Surgery Consultation with the best hospitals and doctors worldwide. Our database includes hospitals in India, Thailand, UAE, UK and the US.
References
- Nawka T, Hosemann W. Surgical procedures for voice restoration. GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005;4:Doc14.
- The Patient’s Role. THE VOICE FOUNDATION. https://voicefoundation.org/health-science/voice-disorders/overview-of-diagnosis-treatment-prevention/phonomicrosurgery/the-patients-role/. Published 2019. Accessed January 14, 2019.
- Uwhealth.org. https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/ear/5315.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed January 14, 2019.
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