SUSPENSION MICROLARYNGOSCOPY WITH HIGH MAGNIFICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN LESIONS OF THE VOCAL FOLDS

Abstract

Organic voice disorders due to benign lesions of the lacynx result from either a disturbance of the vocal fold mucosal vibratory pattern or secondary to incomplete closure of the glottis or a combination of the two mechanisms. Microlaryngeal surgery with high magnification (usually in combination with speech therapy) for such lesions remains the gold standard management. Thirty consecutive candidates for microlaryngeal surgery for

benign laryngeal lesions at the Department of Ear Nose and Throat of Tanta University Hospital between October 1997 and October 1999 were chosen for this work. 16 patients were males, while 14 patients were females. Their ages ranged between 10 and 60 years with a mean age at 34.7 years. Each patient was subjected to full history taking, clinical examination of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. The endolaryngeal examination was done using indirect laryngeal mirror, direct examination with Hopkin's 90 degrees angle rod and lastly flexible fiberoptic rhinolaryngoscope. Voice was clinically evaluated pre and postoperative as

regards maximal phonation time, frequency, speech intensity and

breatheness. Suspension microlaryngoscopic surgery with high magnification was done under general anaesthesia. The results obtained were compared with those obtained

by Kleinsasser 1974, Barker 1991, Bouchayer 1992 and Dickers

1994.