A Systematic Review on Surgical Treatments for Sulcus Vocalis and Vocal Fold Scar

Long-term outcomes of bilateral medialisation thyroplasty in patients with vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate long-term voice outcome after bilateral medialisation thyroplasty in glottic insufficiency due to vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus.

METHODS

Patients after medialisation thyroplasty for vocal fold atrophy with or without sulcus were identified. Long-term post-operative subjective voice outcomes (> 1 year) using Voice Handicap Index-30, subjective ratings on voice aspects and study-specific questionnaire were compared to pre-operative and shorter-term (1 year) values.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients were identified, of which 26 were included (16 atrophy, 10 sulcus) with median follow up of 6.7 years. Mean Voice Handicap Index score at > 1 year (40.0) showed clinically relevant (≥ 15 for groups) and statistically significant improvement compared to pre-operative score (58.1) and remained stable compared to post-operative score (35.7) at one year. Ten patients (56 per cent) reported clinically relevant improvement (≥ 10) after more than five years.

CONCLUSION

Long-term improvement in subjective voice outcomes is attainable in a significant proportion of patients undergoing bilateral medialisation thyroplasty for atrophy with or without sulcus.

Perceptual, aerodynamic and acoustic outcomes of surgical technique for sulcus vocalis patients: A systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Sulcus Vocalis (SV) is a voice disorder characterized by the parallel invagination of the vocal fold epithelium that adheres to the vocal ligament. This condition disrupts the vibratory function, leading to glottal incompetence, hoarseness, and vocal impairment. Despite various proposed surgical techniques, a standardized treatment approach remains elusive.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scholar, and the Cochrane Library for studies on SV treatment. The inclusion criteria comprised original studies comparing pre- and post-treatment vocal outcomes in SV patients, published in English. We excluded case reports, reviews, studies without continuous data, and patients with vocal scar/atrophy.

RESULTS

Fifteen observational studies were included (361 patients, 53.73 % male, average age 41.64 years). 80 % of these studies employed self-reported outcomes, while 81.25 % analyzed acoustic/aerodynamic data. The follow-up period varied from 4 to 44 months. All techniques significantly improved Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores (p < 0.001). Dissective and combined techniques exhibited greater reductions in VHI-30/10 (p < 0.001). Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) improved significantly across all techniques (p < 0.001), with dissective techniques demonstrating superior MPT outcomes (p < 0.001). Jitter improved significantly for dissective and injective techniques (p < 0.001), as did Shimmer for all techniques (p < 0.001). Notably, combined techniques displayed the most significant reductions (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatments significantly improve subjective, aerodynamic, and acoustic outcomes in SV patients. Dissective and combined dissective/injective techniques appear to yield better perceptual and phonatory outcomes compared to injective techniques alone. Further research is necessary to establish the optimal treatment approach for SV.

Evaluating Interventions for Sulcus Vocalis or Vocal Fold Scar: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sulcus vocalis reflects varying degrees of vocal cord lamina propria (LP) damage. Many interventions have been discussed in the literature for addressing sulcus vocalis, but there is no universally accepted gold standard for its management.

AIM

We aim in our study to collectively evaluate the effectiveness of different relevant interventions in the literature used for sulcus vocalis or vocal fold scar.

METHODS

We searched five electronic databases to collect all relevant studies. Records were screened for eligibility. Data were extracted from the included studies independently. Our continuous outcomes were pooled in our single-arm meta-analysis as mean change (MC) and with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis included 43 studies encompassing 1302 patients. The jitter parameter indicated that laser degeneration and LP regeneration/scar degradation led to the highest improvements compared to their baseline, with pooled MC of -0.897 and -0.893, respectively. Graft interposition showed a MC of -0.848, while medialization and dissection had less pronounced changes at -0.200. Shimmer parameter results were similar, with medialization and laser degeneration leading to MC of -2.129 and -2.123, while LP regeneration/scar degradation and graft interposition showed smaller changes MC -1.530 and -1.217. For the noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) parameter, LP regeneration/scar degradation demonstrated MC = -0.028. In aerodynamics outcomes, graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation showed the highest MCs in mean phonatory time (MPT) (4.214 and 3.467, respectively). Endoscopic outcomes for mucosal wave showed high improvements in medialization and graft interposition (MC = 10.40 and 10.18, respectively). Perceptual outcomes favored graft interposition in various parameters, while laser degeneration performed well in most categories. Graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation had a high voice handicap index (VHI) (MC = -27.195 and -19.269, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Laser degeneration and LP regeneration/scar degradation were particularly effective in improving acoustic parameters. In aerodynamics, graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation improved vocal efficiency compared to their baselines. Medialization and laser degeneration had the largest impact compared to their baseline on shimmer and MPT. Endoscopic assessments showed that medialization and graft interposition had high improvement in mucosal waves, and perceptual outcomes were generally high with graft interposition and laser degeneration.

5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy Improves Vocal Fold Wound Healing in Rats

OBJECTIVE

Studies showed that photodynamic therapy (PDT) might be able to prevent vocal fold scar formation when treating laryngeal lesions. We aim to investigate if PDT improves vocal wound healing and reduces scar formation in both prophylactic and remodeling procedures performed in vivo.

STUDY DESIGN

In vivo.

METHODS

Vocal fold stripping was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. PDT was performed with intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) and 635 nm laser irradiation of 20, 40, and 60 J/cm² . PDT was performed immediately after surgery to study the prophylactic effect and 4 weeks after surgery to study the remodeling effect. Gene expression was evaluated with real-time PCR at 1 week after PDT. Histologic evaluations were performed 12 weeks after PDT, including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Alcian blue staining, and immunohistochemical staining of collagen I and III.

RESULTS

PDT induced similar effects on the vocal fold wound healing outcomes in both prophylactic and remodeling procedures. Expression of MMP8, MMP13, HAS2, and TGFβ1 was significantly elevated. Histologic evaluation revealed significantly increased thickness, decreased density of collagen, and increased deposition of hyaluronic acid in the lamina propria. Immunohistochemistry also revealed better distribution and reduced density of collagen I and III. The most obvious changes were seen in the 60 J/cm² PDT group.

CONCLUSION

PDT could significantly improve vocal wound healing by providing both prophylactic effects and remodeling effects. It may be a minimally invasive treatment for vocal fold lesions with slight vocal scarring, and may be used to treat acute or chronic vocal injury to reduce vocal scarring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 133:1943-1951, 2023.

Options for treatment of a small glottic gap

Background

Glottic insufficiency, or glottic gap as it is commonly called, is a common cause of dysphonia, producing symptoms of soft voice, decreased projection, and vocal fatigue. The etiology of glottic gap can occur from issues related to muscle atrophy, neurologic impairment, structural abnormalities, and trauma related causes. Treatment of glottic gap can include surgical and behavioral therapies or a combination of the two. When surgery is chosen, closure of the glottic gap is the primary goal. Options for surgical management include injection medialization, thyroplasty, and other methods of medializing the vocal folds.

Methods

This manuscript reviews the current literature regarding the options for treatment of glottic gap.

Discussion

This manuscript discusses options for treatment of glottic gap, including the indications for temporary and permanent treatment modalities; the differences between the available materials for injection medialization laryngoplasty and how they affect the vibratory function of the vocal folds and vocal outcome; and the evidence that supports an algorithm for treatment of glottic gap.

Level of Evidence

3a-Systematic review of case-control studies.

Intracordal injection therapy for vocal fold scarring: Steroid versus basic fibroblast growth factor

Objectives

Vocal fold scarring is caused by replacement of vocal fold mucosa with fibrous tissue due to repeated inflammation or trauma. It can lead to severe dysphonia. It is currently treated conservatively and with phonosurgery and intracordal injections. Intracordal injection of steroid or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been recently found to be useful for treating vocal fold scarring that does not respond to voice therapy.

Methods

This retrospective study involved the administration of steroid injection and bFGF injection bilaterally under local anesthesia in 16 patients each. Laboratory measurements of voice parameters were performed before and 3–6 months after injection.

Results

In the steroid injection group, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score significantly improved from 57.1 to 40.5, total Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain (tGRBAS) score significantly improved from 4.2 to 2.6, and mean speech fundamental frequency (SFF) increased from 192.5 to 211.4 dB, but there was no improvement in maximum phonation time (MPT) and mean airflow rate (MFR). In the bFGF injection group, significant improvements in the VHI score (from 53.3 to 35.7), MPT (from 16.9 to 21.8 s) and MFR (from 314.6 to 210.5 ml/s) were seen; however, the tGRBAS score did not improve. In addition, the SFF significantly decreased from 178.1 to 160.5 Hz.

Conclusion

These results suggest that both steroid and bFGF injections are effective for treating vocal fold scarring, with steroids improving voice quality and bFGF improving glottic closure, thereby contributing to improvements in VHI scores.

Level of Evidence

4.

Voice Outcome After Carbon Dioxide Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Glottic Cancer According to the European Laryngological Society Classification of Cordectomy Types - A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Voice outcome after carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO2TOLMS) for glottic cancer is of prime importance. However, a comprehensive overview according to the European Laryngological Society (ELS) classification of cordectomies is still lacking. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize data on voice outcome associated with individual types of ELS glottic cordectomy after CO2TOLMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The initial search identified 936 records of which 25 publications were then included. Voice outcome data (Voice Handicap Index [VHI] version 30, grade of dysphonia [G] and maximum phonation time [MPT]) were extracted per resection type. Weighted averages were calculated.

RESULTS

Data show a gradual increase in the VHI scores although they were still similar for all cordectomy types (range 14.2 to 21.5). The grade of dysphonia showed a gradual increase with increasing resection depth (range 1.0 to 1.9). There was a gradual decrease in the MPT (range 15.2 to 7.2).

CONCLUSION

Voice outcome is related to cordectomy type with mild dysphonia characterizing ELS type I, II and III cordectomies, while more extended cordectomies (ELS type IV, V and VI) result in moderate dysphonia and shortness of breath during phonation. The voice handicap experienced by patients is limited even in the more extended cordectomies.

Vocal fold sulci - what are the current options for and outcomes of treatment?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sulcus vocalis is a benign condition of the vocal folds that, according to its severity, can affect the quality of the voice of those who have it. Voice symptoms can range from mild to severe, affecting the quality of life of patients with this condition. Although different surgical and no surgical options have been described, no gold standard treatment has been described.

RECENT FINDINGS

New evidence supports congenital, inflammatory, and acquired theories for sulcus vocalis. Also, recent literature demonstrated the role of the epithelium in the pathogenesis, which makes the absence of superficial lamina propria no longer the only accepted hypothesis. Technological developments improved the in-office diagnostics capabilities for this condition, but vocal fold palpation remains the gold standard. Different benign laryngeal conditions are associated with sulcus vocalis and knowing when to treat those is very important. Different treatment options are available for sulcus vocalis, however, results are diverse and no strong recommendations for one over the other can be made.

SUMMARY

Progress continues to be made in our understanding of sulcus vocalis from diagnosis to treatment. Novel and promising therapeutic strategies have been recently developed for this condition; however, more data and investigations are needed to improve their accuracy and reproducibility.

Current approaches to management of vocal fold scar

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Vocal fold (VF) fibrosis remains an insoluble problem in most cases, with a severe impact on vocal quality and effort. This review examines current investigations and research strands that explore the understanding of VF wound healing and applied treatments for the management of VF scar.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work focused on VF fibrosis has examined wound healing in the glottis, fibrosis-modifying medication, and tissue engineering approaches that span cytokine and growth factor therapy, scaffold and cell delivery platforms, seeded scaffolds, conditioned media and stem cell therapy. Many show promise and may deliver improvements in the wound bed favouring less fibrogenic healing patterns, ultimately with the goal of preserving or restoring VF vibration. Further collaborative research is required that examines combined approaches, long term outcomes, better three-dimensional modelling of cell-cell interactions and delivery modalities for molecular therapies.

SUMMARY

VF fibrosis research continues to expand and explore a variety of mechanistic pathways in order to understand VF healing and identify novel and complementary targets for manipulation. Many different approaches show promise and may also offer synergistic benefits. Research continues to strive for healing that more closely resembles true VF architecture and function.