Abstract

Introduction: Benign lesions of vocal cord cause varying degrees of dysphonia and are surgically correctable. Microlaryngeal Surgery (MLS), voice rest and voice therapy offer cost effective, useful and safe method for management of these lesions¹.

Objective: To evaluate voice improvement after videolaryngoscopic surgery in benign lesions of vocal cord and also to study the clinical profile.

Methods: Descriptive study conducted over period of 18 months. 50 patients with benign lesions undergoing videolaryngoscopic surgery studied. History elicited, examination performed, 70 degree endoscopy done, voice evaluated by VHI and GRBAS score, MPD and objectively evaluated  by Praat software .Patients  reassessed at 1,4 and 8 weeks after surgery.

Results: Male to female ratio was 4:1. Vocal cord polyps forms majority. Hoarseness present in all patients. Smoking and history of voice abuse forms major aetiological factor followed by acid reflux. The mean MPD pre-operatively was 7.08sec increased to 14.30sec 2 months postoperatively. The mean VHI pre-operatively was 63.24 (severe) and mean VHI 2 months after surgery was 20.12 (normal) .Jitter became normal in 74%, shimmer in only 34% of patients 2 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: Smoking, and voice abuse main aetiological factors. All the patients had normal vocal cord and near normal voice 2 months postoperatively. Subjective measures of voice outcome with GRBAS and VHI and also objective analysis with Praat showed signignificant improvement 2 months postoperatively. Jitter in Praat more relavant in monitoring response to treatment.

Keywords: Benign Lesions of Vocal Fold, Maximum Phonation Duration, Videolaryngoscopic Surgery.