Affiliation:
1. Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders University of Houston Houston Texas U.S.A.
2. Texas Voice Center Houston Methodist Department of Otolaryngology‐Head & Neck Surgery Houston Texas U.S.A.
3. Department of Psychology, Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics University of Houston Houston Texas U.S.A.
Abstract
ObjectivesVoice rest is commonly recommended for patients with benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) after phonomicrosurgery. The study compares the clinical voice outcomes of two protocols, 7‐day complete voice rest (CVR) and 3‐day CVR followed by 4‐day relative voice rest (CVR + RVR), for patients with BVFLs after phonomicrosurgery.Study DesignProspective, randomized controlled trial.MethodPatients with BVFLs undergoing phonomicrosurgery were recruited prospectively and randomly assigned to either protocol. Outcomes were assessed on objective measures of acoustics (fundamental frequency, frequency range, mean intensity, cepstral peak analysis) and aerodynamics (vital capacity, airflow rate, subglottal pressure, phonation threshold pressure), as well as subjective measures, both provider‐reported through the Consensus Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V), and patient‐reported through the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Clinical measures were collected at three‐time points: preoperatively, 1‐week postoperatively (on voice rest), and 1‐month postoperatively. In addition, adherence was estimated using a vocal dosimeter.ResultsTwenty‐five patients were recruited and randomized to 7‐day CVR (n = 13) and CVR + RVR regimen (n = 12). Statistically significant changes were found within both groups for subglottal pressure (p = 0.03) and VHI score (p < 0.001) comparing pre‐operative baseline to 1‐month postoperative follow‐up. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Regardless of group assignment, a significant decrease in overall severity ratings for the CAPE‐V was found by comparing the preoperative scores to postoperative scores at 1‐week (p < 0.001) and 1‐month (p < 0.001).ConclusionBoth groups improved their overall voice quality comparably 1 month after undergoing phonomicrosurgery as measured by objective and subjective parameters.Levels of Evidence2. Laryngoscope, 2024
Funder
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders