Our Summary

This research paper discusses a procedure known as injection laryngoplasty, which was first developed in 1911 by Dr. Charles Bruening. The procedure involves injecting a substance into the vocal cords to improve voice quality or swallowing, typically in cases where the vocal cords are not functioning properly. This could be due to a number of reasons, including immobility of the vocal folds, limited movement, scarring, or shrinkage. Thanks to advancements in medical technology, these procedures can now be performed in a doctor’s office instead of a hospital, making them more cost-effective and efficient, and allowing patients to avoid general anesthesia. The paper concludes that these procedures are safe and can be easily performed on the right patients.

FAQs

  1. What is the most common indication for injection laryngoplasty?
  2. What are some of the advantages of in-office laryngology procedures?
  3. What conditions might cause glottic insufficiency?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about vocal cord surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including voice rest and avoiding strenuous activities that could strain the vocal cords. It is important to attend all follow-up appointments and communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider. Additionally, practicing good vocal hygiene, such as staying hydrated and avoiding irritants like smoking, can help promote healing and maintain vocal health after surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended vocal cord surgery include those with glottic insufficiency causing dysphonia and/or dysphagia and aspiration. This can be due to vocal fold immobility, vocal fold hypomobility, sulcus vocalis/vocal scar, and vocal fold atrophy. These patients may benefit from injection laryngoplasty or other in-office laryngology procedures such as intralaryngeal botox, serial intralesional steroid injection, superior laryngeal nerve block, and vocal fold augmentation. Carefully selected patients who are experiencing symptoms related to vocal cord dysfunction may be candidates for vocal cord surgery to improve their voice and swallowing function.

Timeline

Before vocal cord surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, shortness of breath, and aspiration. They may undergo diagnostic tests such as laryngoscopy and imaging studies to determine the cause of their symptoms. Once a decision is made to proceed with surgery, the patient will typically have pre-operative consultations with their surgeon, undergo pre-operative testing, and receive instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

After vocal cord surgery, the patient will likely experience some discomfort and hoarseness as their vocal cords heal. They may be prescribed medications for pain and inflammation, as well as vocal rest and voice therapy. Follow-up appointments with their surgeon will be scheduled to monitor their progress and address any concerns. Over time, the patient should experience improvements in their voice quality and function as their vocal cords heal and the effects of the surgery take full effect.

What to Ask Your Doctor

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

  1. What is the specific reason for recommending vocal cord surgery?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  3. What is the success rate of this type of surgery for my condition?
  4. What is the recovery process like, and how long can I expect it to take?
  5. Will I need voice therapy or other post-operative care?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before pursuing surgery?
  7. How experienced is the surgeon in performing vocal cord surgery?
  8. Will I need to undergo general anesthesia for the surgery?
  9. What are the potential long-term effects of the surgery on my voice and overall vocal health?
  10. What can I do to prepare for the surgery and optimize my chances for a successful outcome?

Reference

Authors: Lamm SA, Buckmire RA, Shah RN. Journal: Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2025 Aug;58(4):623-640. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2025.01.012. Epub 2025 May 15. PMID: 40379555