Phonosurgical vocal fold injection: Indications and techniques

Abstract

Phonosurgical vocal fold injection (VFI) is an excellent choice for elective improvement of voice quality for a variety of voice disorders. This involves injection of a material into the vocal fold to improve phonatory function. The most common injection materials at present are Teflon, Gelfoam, collagen, and fat. The appropriate selection of these materials and the techniques used for injection determine the outcome of this type of phonosurgery. VFI techniques can be divided by location of injected material either into the medial or the lateral region of the vocal fold. Medial VFI is done into a superficial location of the vocal fold (Reinke's space). VFI lateral to the vocal fold (deep) medializes the entire vocal fold. The aim of VFI is to improve the closure of the glottis, thus improving phonatory efficiency and voice quality. A new method of VFI, endoscopic VFI, is presented for lateral VFI.