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.
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.
Authors: Edwin M L Yiu; Karen M K Chan; Elaine Kwong; Nicole Y K Li; Estella P M Ma; Fred W Tse; Zhixiu Lin; Katherine Verdolini Abbott; Raymond Tsang Journal: J Voice Date: 2015-08-19 Impact factor: 2.009
Authors: Edwin M L Yiu; Karen M K Chan; Nicole Y K Li; Raymond Tsang; Katherine Verdolini Abbott; Elaine Kwong; Estella P M Ma; Fred W Tse; Zhixiu Lin Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2015-07-30 Impact factor: 3.325