Perioperative Voice Recovery: Adherence to Treatment, Quality of Life, and Patient Personality

Abstract

Voice rest is often prescribed after the surgical removal of benign vocal fold lesions. Adherence to voice rest recommendations and recovery from phonomicrosurgery present unique challenges to patients and clinicians. The purpose of this article was to summarize what is currently known about adherence to voice rest, the impact of voice rest on patient-reported quality of life, and the potential role of personality in adherence to treatment recommendations. Voice rest is a form of vocal hygiene treatment that is aimed at improving laryngeal health and function (Thomas & Stemple, 2007). There are primarily two types of voice rest protocols used in the postoperative management of patients. Absolute voice rest involves the complete cessation of voice use for a specified time period. In contrast, relative voice rest involves a significant decrease and/or modification in the habitual pattern of voice use (Thomas & Stemple, 2007; van der Merwe, 2004). Otolaryngologists frequently recommend voice rest following microlaryngoscopic surgery for benign vocal fold lesions (van der Merwe, 2004). Unlike some other forms of voice therapy, voice rest is considered to be a primarily preventative and hygienic approach in the management of dysphonia. The primary rationale for conserving the voice is to substantially reduce the amount of vocal fold vibration to facilitate repair and reduce the risk of postsurgical scarring (Behrman & Sulica, 2003; Ishikawa & Thibeault, 2010).