Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Voice Examination in Patients with Decreased High Pitch after Thyroidectomy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Decreased high pitch after thyroidectomy due to injury of the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) may be a critical, especially to professional voice users. The author studied the usefulness of VRP (voice range profile) and MDVP (multi-dimensional voice program) to evaluate patients who have decreased high pitch after thyroidectomy. A study was performed with 58 females and 9 males who underwent voice assessment between January 2008 and June 2009. The patients were classified as the group of female with no decreased high pitch (group A, n = 52), decreased high pitch (group B, n = 6) and the group of male with no decreased high pitch (group C, n = 9). VRP and laryngeal electromyogram (EMG) was performed in group B. Results: The preoperative frequency range of group A and B were statistically not different. In Group B, the result of VRP showed that the frequency range was 443.11 ± 83.97, 246.67 ± 49.41, 181.37 ± 80.13 Hz showing significant decrease after the surgery compared to that of the preoperative result. (P < 0.05) In addition, the intensity range was 22.25 ± 2.87, 15.25 ± 2.22, 16.25 ± 2.63 dB respectively showing significant postoperative decrease. (P < 0.05) EMG of the cricothyroid muscle of group B showed decreased potential with 3 patients, normal potential in 2, and the other patient refused to take the examination. In group A and C, the result of VRP revealed no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative result. VRP is a noninvasive, quick, and practical test to demonstrate decreased frequency range visually and helps to evaluate EBSLN injury in patient with thyroidectomy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Debruyne F, Ostyn F, Delaere P, Wellens W (1997) Acoustic analysis of the speaking voice after thyroidectomy. J Voice 11:479–482

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Aluffi P, Policarpo M, Cherovac C, Olina M, Dosdegani R, Pia F (2001) Post-thyroidectomy superior laryngeal nerve injury. Eur Arch 258:451–454

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Jansson S, Tisell LE, Hagne I, Sanner E, Stenborg R, Svensson P (1988) Partial superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) lesions before and after thyroid surgery. World J Surg 12:522–526

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cernea CR, Ferraz AR, Furlani J et al (1992) Identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy. The Am J Surg 164:634–639

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Teitelbaum BJ, Wenig BL (1995) Superior laryngeal nerve injury from thyroid surgery. Head Neck 17:36–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lombardi CP, Raffaelli M, D’Alatri L et al (2006) Voice and swallowing changes after thyroidectomy in patients without inferior laryngeal nerve injuries. Surgery 140:1026–1034

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dursun G, Sataloff RT, Spiegel JR, Mandel S, Heuer RJ, Rosen DC (1996) Superior laryngeal nerve paresis and paralysis. J Voice 10:206–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Randolph GW, Kamani D (2006) The importance of preoperative laryngoscopy in patients undergoing thyroidectomy: Voice, vocal cord function, and the preoperative detection of invasive thyroid malignancy. Surgery 139:357–362

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tanaka S, Hirano M, Chijiwa K (1994) Some aspects of vocal fold bowing. The Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 103:357–362

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Soylu L, Ozbas S, Uslu HY, Kocak S (2007) The evaluation of the causes of subjective voice disturbances after thyroid surgery. The Am J Surg 194:317–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Stojadinovic A, Shaha AR, Orlikoff RF et al (2002) Prospective functional voice assessment in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Ann Surg 236:823–832

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Robinson JL, Mandel S, Sataloff RT (2005) Objective voice measures in nonsinging patients with unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paresis. J Voice 19:665–667

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hirano M (1988) Vocal mechanisms in singing: laryngological and phoniatric aspects. J Voice 2:51–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ortega J, Cassinello N, Dorcaratto D, Leopaldi E (2009) Computerized acoustic voice analysis and subjective scaled evaluation of the voice can avoid the need for laryngoscopy after thyroid surgery. Surgery 145:265–271

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. de Pedro Netto I, Fae A, Vartanian JG et al (2006) Voice and vocal self-assessment after thyroidectomy. Head Neck 28:1106–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

    Sung Won Kim, Seung Tae Kim, Hyo Sang Park & Kang Dae Lee

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School, Kosin University, Busan, Korea

    Hyoung Shin Lee

  3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

    Jong Chul Hong

  4. Department of Language and Information, College of Humanities, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea

    Soon Bok Kwon

  5. Department of Otolaryngology, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Am-Nam Dong 34, Seo-Gu, Busan, 602-702, Korea

    Kang Dae Lee

Authors
  1. Sung Won Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seung Tae Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hyo Sang Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hyoung Shin Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jong Chul Hong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Soon Bok Kwon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kang Dae Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kang Dae Lee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kim, S.W., Kim, S.T., Park, H.S. et al. Voice Examination in Patients with Decreased High Pitch after Thyroidectomy. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 64, 120–130 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-012-0516-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-012-0516-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation