Surgical Procedures on Vocal Cords: Pricing, Healing Time, Potential Complications
Vocal cord surgery, also known as laryngoplasty, is a medical procedure used to treat various issues affecting the vocal cords. This article provides an overview of common vocal cord surgeries, their recovery timelines, and when to seek medical attention.
Microlaryngoscopy
Microlaryngoscopy is a simple, non-invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat problems with the vocal cords. During the procedure, a doctor inserts a laryngoscope through the mouth to examine the vocal cords. Recovery typically takes a few weeks, with voice rest for at least one to two weeks postoperatively being critical to promote healing and reduce strain on the vocal cords.
Complications and Precautions
A person should contact a doctor if they experience complications after vocal cord surgery, such as severe, persistent pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, unusual swelling, persistent hoarseness, persistent coughing, unexpected voice changes, signs of infection, or bleeding.
Medialization Laryngoplasty
Medialization laryngoplasty is used to treat glottic insufficiency, which can affect a person's ability to breathe, swallow, and produce sound. This procedure alters the structure of the vocal cords to improve vibration and sound production. Commonly used for vocal fold paralysis, patients generally experience improvement over weeks to months. Although specific timelines vary, patients often require a few weeks before resuming normal voice use, with gradual voice recovery as the implant stabilizes.
Reduction Laryngoplasty
Reduction laryngoplasty may be part of a person's gender-affirming care. The procedure aims to reduce hyperadduction in conditions like adductor laryngeal dystonia. Recovery also tends to span several weeks, with voice and airway improvements noted after healing.
Costs
The costs of operative microlaryngoscopy range from $1,1918 to $3,920, while the costs of medialization laryngoplasty range from $3,846 to $6,665.
Thyroplasty
In a thyroplasty, a doctor makes an incision in the neck and cuts through the cartilage to expose the vocal folds. This procedure may be used to treat glottic insufficiency.
Vocal Fold Injection (VFI) Laryngoplasty
VFI laryngoplasty provides short-term symptomatic relief for people unable to undergo thyroplasty or to delay thyroplasty. In this procedure, a doctor injects an injectable filler, such as hyaluronic acid, into the vocal fold.
Risks
Risks involved in vocal cord surgery include unintended voice changes, scarring, bleeding, and infection. It is essential to discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional before undergoing surgery.
Key Takeaways
- Recovery times for vocal cord surgeries can vary, with microlaryngoscopy requiring 1-2 weeks of strict voice rest within an overall several-week healing period.
- Medialization and reduction laryngoplasty generally require a few weeks to months for functional voice recovery, but exact timelines vary by case.
- Voice rest is a key component in recovery from microlaryngoscopy to prevent reinjury.
- Healing allows for implant or muscle changes to settle and for voice quality to improve progressively in medialization and reduction laryngoplasty procedures.
- It is crucial to discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional about recovery for a specific surgery.
