Reinke's Edema
A 10-Year Review of 198 Patients
1993 Volume 1993 Issue Supplement62 Pages 27-32
Details
1993 Volume 1993 Issue Supplement62 Pages 27-32
One hundred ninety eight patients with Reinke's edema who visited our clinic between 1981 and 1990 were retrospectively studied. One hundred twenty four were males and 74were females. Ninety percent of the patients were between 30 and 69 years old. Brinkman's index was 400 or more in 78% of patients. This suggests that smoking was the most important etiological factor. Surgery was performed for 73 cases and the hoarseness improved in 63 cases. Thirty one patients stopped smoking for more than a month without surgery, and 16 cases showed vocal improvement. Surgery was effective regardless of the size of the lesion, while prohibition of smoking was effective only for slight edema. Voice therapy without surgery or prohibition of smoking had no effect on hoarseness.
