Voice outcome measures after flexible endoscopic injection laryngoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To report voice outcome measures after injection laryngoplasty using the transnasal or transoral flexible endoscopic technique. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent flexible endoscopic injection laryngoplasty between June 2010 and August 2016 was carried out. Only those patients who had pre- and post-injection voice outcome measures recorded were included. Voice outcome measures recorded included perceptual voice evaluation using GRBAS, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), maximum phonation time (MPT) and closed quotient (CQ) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were identified, of which 32 had pre- and post-injection voice outcome measures recorded. There were 19 males and 13 females. The mean age was 56.97 years (range 20–86 years) and the most common indication was unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Thirteen patients had a transnasal flexible endoscopic injection), while 19 patients were injected transorally. Following injection laryngoplasty, there was significant improvement in the mean grade of dysphonia (2.81 vs. 1.22, P < 0.01, roughness (2.44 vs. 1.34, P < 0.01), breathiness (2.72 vs. 1.13, P < 0.01), asthenia (2.78 vs. 1.06, P < 0.01), and strain (2.44 vs. 1.19, P < 0.01), MPT (3.85 s vs. 9.85 s, P < 0.01) and mean CQ (0.19 vs. 0.46, P < 0.01). There was also a decrease in the mean VHI-10 score (33.31 vs. 7.94, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: s: Patients achieved significant improvement in both subjective and objective voice measures after flexible endoscopic injection laryngoplasty via the nasal or transoral route. Voice outcomes were comparable to those reported for other approaches. This technique provides an alternative approach for the management of patients with vocal fold paralysis or glottal insufficiency.