Thyroarytenoid muscle myectomy (TAM) is a useful procedure for treating adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), in addition to type II thyroplasty (TP II), and both are performed in our department in Japan. In the present study, we examined the surgical outcomes of TAM.
The subjects were 31 patients who underwent TAM between 2008 and 2013 at Tokyo Medical University Hospital, who could be followed up for at least six months following surgery and whose voice quality evaluation data were available. A comparison of voice evaluations pre-surgery and six months post-surgery was made.
After six months, a significant improvement was seen in all of the voice quality evaluation items, including “strangulation”, “interruption”, “tremors” and voice handicap index (VHI). There was a marked recurrence of the symptoms in two of the 31 subjects within six months. Hemorrhage and scarring were observed as postoperative complications. In addition, we gave a questionnaire to 30 of the subjects who were followed up for at least one year following surgery, which asked about the recurrence of hoarseness and the degree of satisfaction with the surgery. Fifteen subjects responded (50%). The period of continuous hoarseness had ranged from one to 24 months. No subject felt that the hoarseness was a serious impediment in daily life, and the median period required for its disappearance was four months. Symptoms recurred in three subjects, but they tended to be mild. All 15 subjected reported experiencing a benefit from the surgery. The degree of satisfaction with TAM is very high, and we consider it to be a useful procedure for adductor spasmodic dysphonia.
