The correlation between the size, site, and type of vocal fold polyp and voice quality, before and after laryngeal microsurgery

Abstract

Introduction Vocal fold polyps have detrimental effects on voice quality. These effects vary according to their site, size, and histopathological type. Patients and methods This observational prospective study was performed on 30 patients with unilateral vocal fold polyp. Their voice quality was analyzed perceptually and acoustically preoperatively and 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Results of voice analysis were studied against polyp size (small ≤3 mm and large >3 mm), site (anterior and middle), and histopathological type (fibrous, edematous, and vascular). Results Results showed that Jt-per, Sh-per, and HNR were significantly affected in large anterior vascular polyps both preoperatively (P=0.023, 0.008, and 0.034, respectively) and postoperatively, together with large anterior edematous polyps (P=0.002, 0.004, and 0.025, respectively). In addition, grade of dysphonia showed significant improvement in second follow-up in edematous and vascular anterior large polyps than fibrous ones (P=0.027). Discussion/conclusion Small polyps have the least effect on voice quality regardless of its site and histopathological type preoperatively. Large anterior edematous polyps have the worst effect on voice quality with subsequently most significant improvement postoperatively.