Comparison of voice quality after laser cordectomy with that after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for early glottic carcinoma.

Purpose of the study: The present study aimed to compare the voice quality after each type of cordectomy with that after radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for early glottic carcinoma.

Procedures: The GRBAS perceptive scale [consisting of 5 domains: grade (G), roughness (R), breathiness (B), asthenia (A), and strain (S)], aerodynamic tests and acoustic analyses, and the Voice Handicap Index questionnaire were evaluated for 58 laser cordectomy cases and 40 RT or CRT cases. Multiple comparison tests were conducted between each type of cordectomy and RT or CRT.

Results: No statistical difference was found between type I/II cordectomy and RT for T1 glottic carcinoma (T1RT), whereas T1RT showed a significantly better outcome than type III cordectomy (G score: p = 0.016, maximum phonation time: p < 0.01, mean flow rate: p < 0.01). Type IV cordectomy was equivalent to RT or CRT for T2 glottic carcinoma (T2RT/CRT), while types V and VI showed a worse voice quality than T2RT/CRT (G score: p = 0.038 to type VI, B score: p = 0.025 to type V and p = 0.032 to type VI, A score: p = 0.017 to type VI).

Conclusions: Voice quality after laser cordectomy differs according to the type of cordectomy. Surgeons should inform patients about the expected voice quality after each treatment modality.