Prospective trial of voice outcomes after thyroidectomy: Evaluation of patient-reported and clinician-determined voice assessments in identifying postthyroidectomy dysphonia

摘要

The authors sought to determine whether patient and clinician questionnaire grading systems could provide value in assessing potential vocal dysfunction subsequent to thyroid surgery. The logic for this investigation seems to assume that routine, skilled laryngeal surgical support is not easily accessible to many thyroid surgeons. This includes experience with laryngeal stroboscopy and laryngeal electromyography as well as objective acoustic and aerodynamic measures of vocal function. Consequently, survey grading systems of voice function could assist the thyroid surgeon in identifying who requires further evaluation. In short, the screening surveys identify which patients require formal lar-yngological assessment and possibly intervention (endoscopic injection medialization, transcervical implant medialization, arytenoid repositioning, and voice therapy)#