Long‐term results of surgical treatment of vocal fold nodules. (11th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Béquignon, Emilie; Bach, Christine; Fugain, Claude; Guilleré, Lia; Blumen, Marc; Chabolle, Frédéric; Wagner, Isabelle
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 123:Number 8(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1926
• Page End: 1930
• Publication Date: 2013-06-11
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.23768
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives/Hypothesis</title> <p>To evaluate the long‐term outcome of patients with vocal fold nodules treated by surgery alone, or by a combination of surgery and voice therapy and to identify factors associated with long‐term recurrent dysphonia.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design</title> <p>Retrospective study.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>All patients who had undergone surgery for vocal fold nodules in a tertiary care hospital between 1996 and 2006 were contacted. After giving their consent, they were evaluated by videostroboscopic examination of vocal fold nodules and by a subjective questionnaire including the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).</p> </sec> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Sixty‐two out of 90 patients (69%) (60 women, 2 men with a mean age of 33 years) answered the questionnaire at a mean interval of 9.5 years after surgery. Recurrent dysphonia was observed in 19 patients (30%) at a mean interval of 5.2 years after surgery and new benign vocal fold lesions (nodules or Reinke's edema) were observed in 11 patients (18%). Absence of postoperative voice therapy was significantly associated with a higher recurrence rate (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02) (56% of recurrent dysphonia without voice therapy versus 22% with voice therapy).</p> </sec> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Postoperative voice therapy decreases the risk of recurrence. Vocal fold nodules can recur over a period of 5 years, consequently requiring follow‐up for at least 5 years in clinical practice and in future prospective studies.</p> </sec> <sec id="lary23768-sec-0105" sec-type="section"> <title>Level of Evidence</title> <p>2b (Individual retrospective cohort study). Laryngoscope, 123:1926–1930, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>