Assessment of acoustic characteristics of speech in patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis following trans oral carbon dioxide LASER posterior cordotomy

AimsThe study aimed to assess voice quality in patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis (BAVCP) following transoral carbon dioxide (CO2) LASER posterior cordotomy with acoustic parameters.Materials and methodsTwenty-five participants were recruited over a three-year duration. Voice analysis was done twice, pre-operatively and three months post-operatively in decannulated patients, with the help of Praat software (Version 6.1.08) in a soundproof room, and subjective analysis was done using Voice Handicap Index (VHI 10) questionnaire pre-operatively and three months post-operatively.ResultsOf the total sample size of 25, the majority were females (60%). The mean age of participants was 32.16 +/- 14.89. Among the 25 patients, 13 (52%) of them decannulated in the first attempt. Acoustic analysis revealed statistically significant decreases in fundamental frequency, intensity, shimmer, and maximum phonation time post-operatively (p = 0.001), while jitter improved. Subjective analysis VHI 10 showed no significant difference between pre- and post-operatively. Thirteen (52%) of the patients were decannulated within two months following the procedure and voice analysis was done at third month following CO2 LASER cordotomy, the remaining 12(48%) of patients were decannulated with repeat procedures.ConclusionCO2 LASER posterior transverse cordotomy is a safe option with reasonably good voice quality in patients with BAVCP for an adequate airway with minimal complications and a good success rate of decannulation.