Abstract
Though much has been written about glottis reconstruction after partial laryngectomy, there exists only little information concerning actual factors responsible for voice production in these patients. This study was undertaken to obtain information on the phonatory characteristics of the partially ablated larynx.
Twenty patients who had previously undergone partial laryngectomy with glottic reconstruction were examined. In addition to routine laryngofiberscopy, strobo-laryngofiberscopy was performed to examine detailed vibratory movement. Video recordings were made in each patient. Aerodynamic and phonatory function tests together with psychoacoustical voice quality analysis were also carried out and the results were compared to visual findings.
In the patients where the arytenoid of affected side was removed, marked sphincter-like movement of glottic and supraglottic remnants was noticed during phonation and the remained arytenoid cartilage demonstrated remarkable anteromedial movement in voicing. In most of these cases, supraglottic tissue was mainly involved in voicing. Whereas, in patients where both arytenoids were preserved, glottis voicing was more common and sphincterization of glottic and supraglottic remnants was less common during phonation.
Supraglottic voicing was perceived as rougher than glottic voicing. On the other hand, glottic voicing was perceived as more breathy.
Results of aerodynamic and phonatory function tests considerably related to the voicing mechanism, too.
