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Long‐Term Follow‐Up Results of Selective Laryngeal Adductor Denervation‐Reinnervation Surgery for Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia
Author(s) -
Chhetri Dinesh K.,
Mendelsohn Abie H.,
Blumin Joel H.,
Berke Gerald S.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1097/01.mlg.0000201990.97955.e4
Subject(s) - medicine , spasmodic dysphonia , breathy voice , reinnervation , denervation , audiology , adductor muscles , surgery , anesthesia , phonation , botulinum toxin , anatomy
Selective laryngeal adductor denervation‐reinnervation surgery for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia was reported in 1999 in 21 patients with encouraging results. Here, we report long‐term results of this procedure. Surgical outcome was evaluated using patient surveys and perceptual voice assessment. Measured outcomes included Voice Handicap Index (VHI)‐10 scores, patient questionnaire, and perceptual evaluation for voice breaks and breathiness. Patient survey was obtained from 83 patients, and perceptual voice evaluation was performed in voice samples from 46 patients. Average follow‐up interval was 49 months. Mean VHI‐10 scores improved from a mean of 35.6 to 12.7. Eighty‐three percent showed significantly improved VHI‐10 scores, representing improved physical, social, and emotional well‐being. There was a high degree of patient satisfaction, with 91% agreeing that their voice is more fluent after the surgery. Perceptual evaluation of postoperative voice samples revealed voice breaks in 26% (15% mild, 4% moderate, 7% severe) and breathiness in 30% (11% mild, 13% moderate, 6% severe). A majority of patients had stable, long‐lasting resolution of spasmodic voice breaks.