Temporalis fascia transplant for vocal fold scar and sulcus vocalis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate vocal outcomes in 10 patients 1 year after autologous transplantation of temporalis fascia into Reinke's space (ATFV) for vocal fold scar and sulcus vocalis.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective, clinical case series.

METHODS

Subjective and objective evaluation was performed 12 months after surgery using laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) in all patients, the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) in seven patients, GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale in nine patients, and noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), phonatory range (PR) and maximum phonation time (MPT) in six patients.

RESULTS

LVS improved in all but one patient. A significant decrease was noted in the GRBAS subscales grade, roughness, asthenia, and strain (P<.05). Breathiness was almost significant, with a P value of .052. There was an average decrease in the VHI-10 of 8.14 (P=.032). NHR, MPT, and PR did not statistically improve.

CONCLUSIONS

ATFV for vocal fold scar and sulcus vocalis results in significant subjective vocal improvement that persists at least 1 year after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.