Quality of voice after implantation of hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds - Preliminary report

Introduction: Method of vocal folds implantation with allogenic materials has been applied in medical centre all over the world for over 30 years. This voice improving method is usually applied in several indications such as: presbyphonia, vocal folds paralysis, glottis insufficiency, vocal fold scars or sulcus vocalis. All of these illnesses prevent the patients to obtain full glottis closure and produce good quality voice. Aim: To assess quality of voice after implantation of hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds. Material: Consisted of 15 patients, who underwent surgical implantation of hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds. 10 patients had the procedure performed on both sides of the larynx, this group included 6 patients with vocal insufficiency of the glottis, 2 with scars and atrophy of the vocal folds and 2 with presbyphonia. In 5 cases the hyaluronic acid was applied on one side of the larynx. The group included 4 patients with vocal folds paralysis and one person with single sided scars and atrophy of the vocal fold. Method: Each patient was examined with videostroboscopy and underwent objective and subjective assessment of voice. Hyaluronic acid was injected surgically under Jet Ventilation general anesthesia. In two cases during the procedure scars were removed from the vocal folds. All patients after hyaluronic acid augmentation took part in the rehabilitation program that included series of voice emission exercises before operation and up to 3 months after the procedure. Examination was performed 1, 3 and 6 months after injection. Results: In all cases improvement of quality of voice was obtained which was stated by a physician and the patients subjectively. Improvement of harmonic voice structure was confirmed by spectrographic record. Acoustic examinations revealed that the improvement was obtained within parameters describing frequency, amplitude disturbance and noise existence. Conclusions: Injection of the hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds improves functional phonation and quality of voice in cases of patients with glottis insufficiency. Injection of the hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds is an efficient method improving quality of voice and can be safe alternative for no surgery method in rehabilitation of voice. This method is a simply, effective and quickly to improve of voice disorders. © 2011 Polish Otolaryngology Society.