J Korean Soc Laryngol Phoniatr Logoped.  2016 Dec;27(2):102-107. 10.0000/jkslpl.2016.27.2.102.

The Correlation between The Size and Location of Vocal Polyp and Voice Quality, Before and After Laryngeal Microsurgery

• Han WG
• Kim MS
• Oh KH
• Woo JS
• Jung KY
• Kwon SY

• KMID: 2369118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jkslpl.2016.27.2.102

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Vocal polyps are caused by inflammation induced by stress or irritation. Many patients with vocal polyps complain voice discomfort. For vocal polyps, surgery such as laryngeal microsurgery has been the mainstay of management. We analyzed the clinical features of vocal polyps, and how the size and location of vocal polyps affect the outcomes of surgery.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients from March 2014 to December 2015, who were diagnosed as unilateral single vocal polyp. When we operated on a vocal polyp with laryngeal microscopy, we measured their size and location. The quality of voice was evaluated by GRABS scale, jitter, shimmer, NHR (noise to harmonic ratio), MPT (maximum phonation time), and VHI (voice handicap index) before operation and 4 weeks after operation.
RESULTS
When we divided the patients into large-sized vocal polyp group (the longest length >3 mm) and small-sized vocal polyp group (the longest length ≤3 mm), all parameter differences tend to be greater at large sized vocal polyp. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). When we divided into two groups depending on the volume of vocal polyp, no distinct tendency was found. When we compared the location (anterior, mid and posterior) of vocal polyp with the improvement of voice quality, more change was found at mid portion vocal polyp, except the difference of VHI. However, these differences were also not statistically significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
All parameter differences tend to be greater at large vocal polyp and polyp of the mid location.

Keyword

Vocal polyp; Laryngeal microsurgery; Aerodynamic analysis; Acoustic analysis; Voice handicap index

MeSH Terms

Humans
Inflammation
Microscopy
Microsurgery*
Phonation
Polyps*
Retrospective Studies
Voice Quality*
Voice*