Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Hortobagyi, D.
EXTERNAL VOCAL FOLD MEDIALIZATION
thyroplasty with titanium vocal fold medialization implant (TVFMI) - long-term results of voice and life quality
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Gugatschka Markus
- Hammer Georg
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction The vocal folds (VF) are basically responsible for phonation. According to the myoe- lastic theory, the flow of the exhaled air induces oscillation of the VF and thereby producing the primary sound. Due to unilateral VF palsy, too much air can pass through the glottic gap. The result is hoarseness and dyspnea. This impairs the oral communication and further deteriorates quality of life. Various possibilities to improve the phonation in these cases are available in clinical routine. This paper covers a technique developed by Friedrich, in which an inserted titanium implant shifts the paralysed VF into a median position, thus narrowing the glottic gap while the patient phonates. The aim is to reveal differences between the voice before and after the surgery. Material and Methods 116 patients from the communication and information system MEDOCS fulfilled the inclusion criteria, two of them even had to undergo the surgery twice. The parame- ters SSI, Jitter, MPT, DI, DSI and F0 were ascertained pre- and postoperatively and assessed with the aid of SPSS. All parameters, except for the DI, were distributed normally before as well as after the surgery. Results SSI (p < .000), MPT (p < .000) and DI (p < .000) improved significantly after the sur- gery. The other parameters improved too, however the differences were not signifi- cant: Jitter (p = .144), Shimmer (p = .749), F0 (p = .864) und DSI (p = .079). Discussion Even though not all parameters improved significantly, particularly the subjective ones did. Eventually, the patients’ self-assessment is the key factor. Furthermore, the material and the technique itself have essential advantages. All these facts confirm that TVFMI-thyroplasty is an outstanding procedure to treat patients with dysphonia due to a unilateral VF paralyses.