Absolute or relative voice rest after phonosurgery

Objectives:

Voice rest is commonly recommended after phonomicrosurgery to prevent worsening of vocal fold injuries. According to the literature, voice rest following phonosurgery, as recommended in clinical practice, varies between 3 and 7 days. The most effective duration of voice rest is unknown. Before early vocal stimulation was recommended as a means to improve wound healing. The purpose of this study is to examine the optimal duration of voice rest after phonomicrosurgery.

Study design:

Preliminary randomized prospective blind clinical trial.

Methods:

Patients undergoing phonomicrosurgery for leukoplakia, carcinoma in situ, vocal fold polyp, Reinke's edema, and cyst were chosen. Participants were randomly assigned to voice rest for 3 or 7 postoperative days. Voice therapy was administered to both groups after voice rest. Grade, roughness, breathiness, and strain (GRBAS) scale, stroboscopic examination (NMVA) and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) were performed pre- and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months. Parameters were compared between both groups.

Results:

Thirty patients were analyzed (3-day group, n = 18; 7-day group, n = 12). Jitter, shimmer, and VHI-10 were significantly better in the 3-day group at 1 month post operation. GRBAS was significantly better in the 3-day group at 1 and 3 months post operation, and NMWA was significantly better in the 3-day group at 1, 3, and 6 months post operation compared to the 7-day group.

Conclusions:

We suggest that 3 days of voice rest followed by voice therapy may lead to better wound healing of the vocal fold compared to 7 days of voice rest.

Keywords:

Phonomicrosurgery; Voice rest; Voice therapy

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)