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Hypernasality after using the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for skull base tumors
Author(s) -
Kim BooYoung,
Shin JiHyeon,
Kim Sung Won,
Hong Yong Kil,
Jeun SinSoo,
Kim Soo Whan,
Hwang Jae Hyung,
Yoo Soonil,
Lee Yong Joo,
Shim MiRan,
Hwang YeonShin
Publication year - 2016
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.25450
Subject(s) - medicine , nasality , audiology , neurotology , nasal cavity , surgery , endoscopy , endoscopic surgery , philosophy , linguistics , vowel
Objectives/Hypothesis The increasing number of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (EETSA) has resulted in several sinonasal complications, including voice changes. Here, we compared preoperative and postoperative voice changes according to age. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to age: ≤ 30 years, 31 to 60 years, and ≥ 60 years. Patients underwent preoperative voice evaluation using acoustic analysis, a nasometer, and the voice handicap index (VHI). A nasometer was used to measure the nasalance scores. The subjects read or repeated three speech stimuli. For each stimulus, mean nasalance scores were obtained and age dependence was analyzed. Repeat testing was performed 6 months postoperatively. Results One hundred and seventy patients who underwent binostril four‐hand EETSA with a bilateral modified rescue flap were included in this study. Mean nasalance scores for the oral passage, oronasal passage, and nasal passage—as well as mean jitter scores, shimmer scores, and VHI—were significantly increased in all of the EETSA patients ( P < 0.05 for all). Mean nasalance scores for the nasal sentences were significantly increased in the ≤ 30 age group (all, P < 0.05). Scores for the oronasal passage and nasal passage were significantly increased in the 31 to 60 age group (all, P < 0.05). Scores for the oronasal passage, nasal passage, jitter, and shimmer were significantly increased in the > 60 age group (all, P < 0.05). Conclusions Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches might contribute to voice changes. In addition, older age might produce hypernasality and roughness after EETSA. Patients who plan to undergo EETSA should be informed that their voice may change after the operation. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 126:329–333, 2016