Changes in respiratory function after thyroplastic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A certain degree of subclinical extrathoracic airway compromise may ensue after thyroplastic surgery, although none of the patients reported the presence of dyspneic symptoms in their normal daily lives.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of thyroplastic surgery on respiratory function and compare them with the improvement of vocal function.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The study included 53 patients; 7 had type I thyroplasty (type I), 9 had arytenoid adduction (AA), 10 had AA with type I, and 27 had AA with neuromuscular pedicle flap implantation (NMP). Phonatory and respiratory functions were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. The presence of dyspnea during daily activities was determined postoperatively.

RESULTS

The difference between the pre- and postoperative values was statistically significant in five comparisons. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced expiratory volume (FEV(1%)) in the AA with type I group, FEV(1)/peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in the AA group, and PEFR in the three groups (type I, AA, and AA with NMP). Forty-six patients associated with AA were combined for statistical analysis. The differences were statistically significant for FEV(1%), PEFR, and FEV(1)/PEFR. Changes in maximum phonation time (MPT) were found to have a significant correlation with changes in FEV(1)/PEFR. All the patients denied episodes of dyspnea during their normal daily activities.