A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SURGICAL TREATMENT VERSUS CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF VOCAL CORD NODULES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Background: Vocal cord nodules are bilateral, benign, and callous like growths of the mid portion of the membranous vocal folds. They are of variable size and characterised histologically by thickening of epithelium with a variable degree of inflammation in the underlying superficial lamina propria1. They characteristically produced hoarseness, discomfort and an unstable voice when speaking or singing. AIMS: Comparison between post treatment (surgical and conservative treatment groups) voice quality of the two groups and post treatment status of nodules in both the groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Outpatient department and Indoor wards of Department of ENT and Head Neck surgery, R. G Kar Medical College. Patients attending ENT OPD of R G Kar Medical College during the Study period were the study population. Sample size was atleast 50 Patients. RESULT: In group-A, 4(23.5%) patients were regressing and 13(76.5%) patients had resolve. In group-B, 4(12.1%) patients were persisting and 29(87.9%) patients were regressing. Association of post Rx VCN vs. group was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vocal fold nodule is one of the most frequent benign laryngeal lesions, influencing the quality of life of those affected by them, primarily the vocal production. Despite being a well-established therapy in conjunction with surgery, speech therapy alone may also be effective in treating these lesions.