Assessment of acoustic characteristics of speech in patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis following trans oral carbon dioxide LASER posterior cordotomy.

Aims: The study aimed to assess voice quality in patients with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis (BAVCP) following transoral carbon dioxide (CO2) LASER posterior cordotomy with acoustic parameters.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five participants were recruited over a three-year duration. Voice analysis was done twice, pre-operatively and three months post-operatively in decannulated patients, with the help of Praat software (Version 6.1.08) in a soundproof room, and subjective analysis was done using Voice Handicap Index (VHI 10) questionnaire pre-operatively and three months post-operatively.

Results: Of the total sample size of 25, the majority were females (60%). The mean age of participants was 32.16 ± 14.89. Among the 25 patients, 13 (52%) of them decannulated in the first attempt. Acoustic analysis revealed statistically significant decreases in fundamental frequency, intensity, shimmer, and maximum phonation time post-operatively ( = 0.001), while jitter improved. Subjective analysis VHI 10 showed no significant difference between pre- and post-operatively. Thirteen (52%) of the patients were decannulated within two months following the procedure and voice analysis was done at third month following CO2 LASER cordotomy, the remaining 12(48%) of patients were decannulated with repeat procedures.

Conclusion: CO2 LASER posterior transverse cordotomy is a safe option with reasonably good voice quality in patients with BAVCP for an adequate airway with minimal complications and a good success rate of decannulation.