Abstract
Objectives: Removal of part of the tongue base, in combination with uvulopharyngopalatoplasty via transoral robotic surgery (TORS), for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) results in enlargement of the oropharynx and hypopharynx and change in the size of the resonance chamber. These procedures may also alter the laryngeal-hyoid bone complex, which is linked to vocal fold tension. Thus, there is the potential for change in phonation and pitch after surgery.Study Design: Prospective, nonrandomized, institutional board-approved study.Methods: From January to August 2018, 15 patients with OSAS receiving TORS underwent voice and pitch sampling. The multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP) was applied to the evaluation of preoperative sound parameters. Highest pitch and lowest pitch were obtained with real-time pitch software, with pitch synchronized to electronic organ or tuner. Subjects also completed the Voice Handicap Index-10 scale (VHI-10), to assess their subjective perception and to detect factors affecting the VHI-10 score. The relevant parameters were analyzed again 3 months after the operation.Results: There was an increase in VHI-10 score 3 months after operation that did not reach statistical significance. There were also no significant differences in sound parameters. Increases in highest pitch (353.18 Hz shift to 387.99 Hz), highest semitone ( shift to ), lowest pitch (117.45 Hz shift to 131.42 Hz), and lowest semitone (C3 shift to C3) did not reach statistical significance. The increase in the lowest semitone was significantly related to change in VHI-10 score (r = −0.808, P = 0.028).Conclusion: Patients with OSA undergoing TORS showed a negative correlation coefficient over 0.8 with change in VHI-10 score. That is, increase in the lowest semitone after operation correlated with increase in VHI-10 score which may cause perceive changes in subjective pronunciation.
Highlights
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) experience repeated suffocation and poor ventilation due to the collapse of upper respiratory tract soft tissues during sleep
The effectiveness of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for OSAS has been confirmed by imaging and polysomnography (PSG) [1, 2]
Fifteen patients diagnosed with OSA proven by polysomnography (PSG) and normal hearing proven by pure tone audiogram (PTA) were enrolled in this study from January to August 2018
Summary
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) experience repeated suffocation and poor ventilation due to the collapse of upper respiratory tract soft tissues during sleep. Excision and remodeling of soft and hypertrophic tissues in the oropharynx and hypopharynx serve to expand the upper respiratory tract. The effectiveness of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for OSAS has been confirmed by imaging and polysomnography (PSG) [1, 2]. Whether surgical removal and reset of benign tissues, which assist in swallowing, taste perception, and sound resonance, change the quality of life of patients or affect patients professionally is an important question. In the 20 years from 1993 to 2003, there was increasing prevalence of sleep apnea [3]. In addition to increasing numbers of consultations, clinicians should be alert to the rise in patients’ rights awareness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
