Voice acoustics after autologous fascia injection for vocal fold paralysis.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was carried out to assess the impact of fascial injection on voice acoustics Preliminary results had suggested that voice, as rated by a panel of listeners, was significantly improved after autologous fascia augmentation of a paralyzed vocal fold.

STUDY

DESIGN

A prospective study among patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis was carried out. Eighteen subjects were analyzed 9 months (mean) after the procedure.

METHODS

The preoperative and postoperative samples of vowel /a/ were analyzed by Key Elemetrics (Lincoln Park, NJ). Computerized Speech Lab.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement (P<.05) in all parameters measured, including jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and maximum phonation time. No laryngeal complications were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these preliminary results, vocal fold augmentation by an injection of autologous fascia seems a simple, inexpensive, reliable and safe method to restore voice quality after unilateral vocal fold paralysis.