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Long‐term results of surgical treatment of vocal fold nodules
Author(s) -
Béquig Emilie,
Bach Christine,
Fugain Claude,
Guilleré Lia,
Blumen Marc,
Chabolle Frédéric,
Wagner Isabelle
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23768
Subject(s) - medicine , voice therapy , retrospective cohort study , surgery , prospective cohort study , vocal folds , confidence interval , otorhinolaryngology , larynx , audiology
Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the long‐term outcome of patients with vocal fold nodules treated by surgery alone, or by a combination of surgery and voice therapy and to identify factors associated with long‐term recurrent dysphonia. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods All patients who had undergone surgery for vocal fold nodules in a tertiary care hospital between 1996 and 2006 were contacted. After giving their consent, they were evaluated by videostroboscopic examination of vocal fold nodules and by a subjective questionnaire including the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results Sixty‐two out of 90 patients (69%) (60 women, 2 men with a mean age of 33 years) answered the questionnaire at a mean interval of 9.5 years after surgery. Recurrent dysphonia was observed in 19 patients (30%) at a mean interval of 5.2 years after surgery and new benign vocal fold lesions (nodules or Reinke's edema) were observed in 11 patients (18%). Absence of postoperative voice therapy was significantly associated with a higher recurrence rate ( P = 0.02) (56% of recurrent dysphonia without voice therapy versus 22% with voice therapy). Conclusions Postoperative voice therapy decreases the risk of recurrence. Vocal fold nodules can recur over a period of 5 years, consequently requiring follow‐up for at least 5 years in clinical practice and in future prospective studies. Level of Evidence 2b (Individual retrospective cohort study). Laryngoscope, 123:1926–1930, 2013