Phonatory and Radiological Analysis in Modified Montgomery Thyroplasty.

Abstract

Background: Our main objective was to analyze the phonatory and radiological characteristics of patients with optimal and suboptimal grade of hoarseness, roughness, and breathiness (GRB) of Auditory Perceptual Voice Evaluation Scale results after modified Montgomery thyroplasty. We have analyzed the functional characteristics using maximum phonatory time (MPT), Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30), as well as a radiological study. We also aimed to determine the influence of sex on the variables studied.

Methods: Descriptive study of the postoperative phonatory results complemented with a radiological analysis using laryngeal computed tomography images of adult patients. A total of nine measurements of important laryngeal landmarks of interest were taken on each patient.

Results: The study included 24 patients with a mean age of 57 years. Younger patients obtained better results. The improvement in VHI-30 in optimal GRB group was significantly greater. No significant differences in the MPT were obtained. Most men obtain an optimal MPT, and women a more variable result. As for the % of vocal quality, the result is similar between sexes. The thyroid window closer to the anteroinferior corner was observed in men with better GRB results.

Conclusions: A significant relationship was found between optimal grade of hoarseness (G) and VHI-30 score. However, neither was related to MPT. We have described laryngeal radiological data focusing on the surgical approach.