Voice function following CO₂laser microsurgery for precancerous and early-stage glottic carcinoma

Abstract

For mucosal ablation, vocal quality recovered 1 month after surgery. For mucosal stripping, although vocal quality was steady 3 months after surgery, slight hoarseness persisted in this group. The contour of the treated fold recovered postoperatively. There were no complications in recovery. For cordectomies, vocal quality became steady 6 months after the surgery. The supraglottal hyperfunction with supraglottal structure squeezing played an important role in phonation. The affected vocal fold mucosal wave was absent instead of a regular ventricular fold wave or mucosal wave of the vocal process during phonation. In comparison with the type III-IV cordectomy, the results of extended cordectomies (type Va and Vc) were worse; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Granulomas and anterior commissure webs were present. All granulomas resolved spontaneously 3 months postoperatively.