Surgical Rehabilitation of Voice Following Laryngofissure

Abstract

The voice after laryngofissure may be quite satisfactory; may be hoarse but fairly strong; or rarely may be aphonic, hardly audible. The quality of the voice depends to a great degree on the position of the cicatricial tissue which takes the place of the removed false and true vocal cords. The voice is strong if the normal vocal cord does not have to cross the median line in order to reach the cicatricial cord-like structure. If the newly formed cord is fixed in the paramedian position, the normal vocal cord may well compensate by slightly crossing the midline. Speech therapy may be quite helpful in this group in producing an efficient, slightly hoarse speaking voice. Speech therapy, however, has little or nothing to offer if the cicatricial cord happens to be formed in a position of extreme lateral abduction. The voice is weak and aphonic. There is considerable air waste.