Peak Woo1, Thomas Murry2. 1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York. Electronic address: peakwoo@peakwoo.com. 2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda Health University, Loma Linda, California; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Improving the voice of patients with vocal atrophy, scar, and sulcus vocalis remains challenging. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biological suitable for regenerative medicine. Office-based injections of PRP may serve as a source of improved wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two office based injections of PRP were performed in 14 patients with scar, sulcus, and vocal atrophy (12 scars, 1 sulcus, and 1 atrophy). PRP was prepared using 20 cc blood draw and double centrifugation method. Injection laryngoplasty was performed using trans cervical or indirect trans oral technique (10 trans cervical, 22 trans-oral). Volume of PRP use was 0.5-0.7 cc per side. Injections varied from 1 to 3 injections at monthly intervals. Videostroboscopy, Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), and an objective analysis of the voice using Cepstral Peak Prominence (Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia) were recorded. An expert rater speech pathologist rated the audio and stroboscopy results. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 15 months. No patients were made worse. The mean VHI-10 before the injection was 23. VHI-10 after the injection was 12.5 (P < 0.01). The mean Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia score for CAPE-V sentence was 42.5 before the injection and 23.5 (P < 0.01) after the injection. The expert rater thought the post treatment was better (9/14 acoustic, 10/14 stroboscopy). Eleven of the 14 patients thought the intervention was worthwhile to repeat. The other 3 patients thought the improvement was transient. CONCLUSION: Office PRP injection into the vocal fold of patients with scar, sulcus, and atrophy may result in short term voice improvements. It is a biological worth considering.
INTRODUCTION: Improving the voice of patients with vocal atrophy, scar, and sulcus vocalis remains challenging. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biological suitable for regenerative medicine. Office-based injections of PRP may serve as a source of improved wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two office based injections of PRP were performed in 14 patients with scar, sulcus, and vocal atrophy (12 scars, 1 sulcus, and 1 atrophy). PRP was prepared using 20 cc blood draw and double centrifugation method. Injection laryngoplasty was performed using trans cervical or indirect trans oral technique (10 trans cervical, 22 trans-oral). Volume of PRP use was 0.5-0.7 cc per side. Injections varied from 1 to 3 injections at monthly intervals. Videostroboscopy, Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), and an objective analysis of the voice using Cepstral Peak Prominence (Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia) were recorded. An expert rater speech pathologist rated the audio and stroboscopy results. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 15 months. No patients were made worse. The mean VHI-10 before the injection was 23. VHI-10 after the injection was 12.5 (P < 0.01). The mean Cepstral Spectral Index of Dysphonia score for CAPE-V sentence was 42.5 before the injection and 23.5 (P < 0.01) after the injection. The expert rater thought the post treatment was better (9/14 acoustic, 10/14 stroboscopy). Eleven of the 14 patients thought the intervention was worthwhile to repeat. The other 3 patients thought the improvement was transient. CONCLUSION: Office PRP injection into the vocal fold of patients with scar, sulcus, and atrophy may result in short term voice improvements. It is a biological worth considering.