Our Summary

This research paper is about vocal cord disorders, which can cause a variety of symptoms such as voice changes, breathing problems, and noisy breathing. To understand these symptoms, it’s important to have a full examination of the patient’s head, neck, and nervous system. If voice changes last for more than four weeks, or if the patient is a smoker, a laryngoscopy (a procedure to look at the vocal cords) is needed. Treating voice changes without seeing the vocal cords directly is not advised. Most growths on the vocal cords are harmless and can be solved with proper voice care and speech therapy. Surgery is only used for growths that keep causing symptoms or for cancerous growths.

FAQs

  1. When is it necessary to undergo laryngoscopy for dysphonia?
  2. What is the typical treatment for benign masses on the vocal folds?
  3. When is surgery considered as a treatment option for vocal cord disorders?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about vocal cord surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including voice rest and avoiding straining the voice. It is important to give the vocal cords time to heal properly to achieve the best possible outcome. Additionally, attending regular follow-up appointments with a speech therapist for voice rehabilitation can help improve vocal function and prevent future vocal cord issues.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended vocal cord surgery include those with persistent dysphonia (hoarseness) that does not improve with voice therapy or other conservative treatments, vocal fold nodules or polyps that are causing significant symptoms or affecting voice quality, and cancerous lesions of the vocal cords. Additionally, patients with other vocal cord disorders such as vocal fold paralysis or dysfunction may also be candidates for surgical intervention. It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by a laryngologist or otolaryngologist to determine the appropriate course of treatment for their specific vocal cord disorder.

Timeline

Before vocal cord surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty speaking, and breathing problems.
  2. Patient seeks medical attention and undergoes a complete history and physical examination, including head, neck, and neurologic examinations.
  3. Laryngoscopy may be performed to directly visualize the vocal folds and determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
  4. Empiric treatment is not recommended without a proper diagnosis.
  5. Benign vocal fold masses may be managed with voice therapy and speech therapy.

After vocal cord surgery:

  1. Surgery is considered for persistent symptomatic nodules or cancerous lesions.
  2. The patient undergoes vocal cord surgery to remove the abnormal tissue or lesion.
  3. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery performed.
  4. Voice therapy may be recommended to help the patient regain vocal function and improve voice quality.
  5. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress and ensure proper healing of the vocal cords.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What specific vocal cord disorder do I have and what are the treatment options available?
  2. What are the risks and benefits of vocal cord surgery for my condition?
  3. What is the success rate of vocal cord surgery for my specific disorder?
  4. What is the recovery process like after vocal cord surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before opting for surgery?
  6. How many similar surgeries have you performed in the past and what is your success rate?
  7. What are the potential complications or side effects of vocal cord surgery?
  8. Will I need speech therapy or voice rehabilitation following the surgery?
  9. How long will it take for me to regain full function of my vocal cords after the surgery?
  10. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take after vocal cord surgery to prevent further issues?

Reference

Authors: Pendergraph B, Cheng J, Alvarez C, Singh S. Journal: Prim Care. 2025 Mar;52(1):123-137. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2024.09.013. Epub 2025 Jan 3. PMID: 39939083