Examination of aerodynamic measures and strain by vibratory source.

OBJECTIVES

Patients with laryngotracheal stenosis often require airway reconstruction. Following surgical intervention, voicing may be produced with either a glottic or supraglottic vibratory source. The objective of this study was to compare average airflow, estimated subglottal pressure, and expert perceptual rating of strain between children with glottic and supraglottic vibratory sources post-airway reconstruction.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study was a non-randomized prospective study conducted at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Center for Pediatric Voice Disorders, and included 12 participants with a diagnosis of subglottic stenosis, post-laryngotracheal reconstruction.

RESULTS

Expert perceptual ratings of strain were significantly higher for participants with supraglottic versus glottic voicing (P = 0.0001). Although the mean airflow measure was higher for participants with glottic phonation and mean pressure measure was higher for those with supraglottic voicing, these comparisons failed to reach significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who exhibit supraglottic phonation patterns demonstrate greater strain during speech, as well as potential alterations to aerodynamic patterns.

SIGNIFICANCE: The significant differences in perceived strain by vibratory source are noteworthy, as perceptual quality is always a patient's motivation to seek treatment.