Influence of vocal fold scarring on phonation: predictions from a finite element model.

Objectives: A systematic study of the influence of vocal fold scarring on phonation was conducted. In particular, phonatory variables such as fundamental frequency, oral acoustic intensity, and phonation threshold pressure (PTP) were investigated as a function of the size and position of the laryngeal scar.

Methods: By means of a finite element model of vocal fold vibration, the viscoelastic properties of both normal and scarred vocal fold mucosae were simulated on the basis of recent rheological data obtained from rabbit and canine models.