Our Summary

This research paper is about two conditions, Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) and chronic cough (CC), that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The researchers wanted to understand more about how these conditions are related and how they might affect each other.

The study included 51 people with VCD and 39 people with a chronic cough that couldn’t be improved with medical treatment. These participants had to go through several tests, like questionnaires, throat examinations, cough frequency monitoring, and voice testing.

The researchers found that people with VCD had a lot of trouble with coughing, coughing about 17.3 times an hour and having a lower quality of life because of their cough. They also found that these people had abnormal breathing patterns.

Interestingly, measures of coughing were not significantly different between people with VCD and those with a chronic cough. They also found that 69% of the people with a chronic cough had moderate to severe PVFM (a condition where the vocal cords don’t open properly).

In conclusion, the study suggests that coughing is a significant symptom in VCD. Therefore, doctors treating patients with chronic cough should also consider VCD as a potential cause of the cough, and vice versa.

FAQs

  1. What are the main findings of this study on Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) and chronic cough (CC)?
  2. How does Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) relate to chronic cough according to this research?
  3. Should doctors consider VCD as a potential cause of chronic cough based on the results of this study?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give to a patient undergoing vocal cord surgery is to follow all post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include resting the voice, avoiding talking or whispering for a certain period of time, staying hydrated, and following any prescribed medication regimen. It is important to give the vocal cords time to heal properly in order to achieve the best possible outcome from the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients with VCD and chronic cough who do not respond well to medical treatments may be recommended for vocal cord surgery, specifically procedures to address issues with vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal fold movement. These surgeries may involve techniques such as vocal cord repositioning, injection laryngoplasty, or vocal cord augmentation.

Overall, vocal cord surgery may be recommended for patients with VCD or chronic cough who have not found relief from other treatments and are experiencing significant impacts on their quality of life. It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms and treatment options with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for their individual case.

Timeline

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after vocal cord surgery may look something like this:

Before surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
  2. Patient undergoes various tests and evaluations to diagnose the underlying condition, such as VCD or chronic cough.
  3. Treatment options are explored, including medications, speech therapy, and lifestyle changes.
  4. If conservative treatments are not effective, the patient may be recommended for vocal cord surgery.

After surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes vocal cord surgery to correct the underlying issue, such as VCD or PVFM.
  2. Recovery period begins, which may involve rest, voice rest, and speech therapy.
  3. Patient gradually resumes normal activities, with regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress.
  4. Patient experiences improvement in symptoms, such as reduced coughing, improved breathing, and better quality of life.

Overall, vocal cord surgery can be a life-changing procedure for patients with conditions like VCD or chronic cough, leading to significant improvements in their symptoms and overall well-being.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about vocal cord surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of vocal cord surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of vocal cord surgery for my specific condition?
  3. How long is the recovery period after vocal cord surgery?
  4. Will I need speech therapy or other rehabilitation after vocal cord surgery?
  5. What are the expected outcomes and benefits of vocal cord surgery?
  6. Are there any alternative treatments to consider before opting for surgery?
  7. How many vocal cord surgeries have you performed, and what is your experience with this procedure?
  8. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or adjustments after vocal cord surgery?
  9. How long will the effects of vocal cord surgery last?
  10. What follow-up care will be necessary after vocal cord surgery?

Reference

Authors: Vertigan AE, Kapela SL, Gibson PG. Journal: Respir Med. 2020 Jul;168:105990. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.105990. Epub 2020 Apr 25. PMID: 32364960