Voice outcomes after laser cordectomies: subjective evaluation using the voice handicap index

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A multitude of treatment modalities have been proposed in management of early laryngeal squamous cell cancers(SCC). With the improvement of survival rates of these tumours, the degree of voice impairment after treatment became a deciding parameter in the choice of treatment modality. Many reports based on objective tools showed acceptable voice outcomes in patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). This is a single centre study representing voice outcomes in patients treated with TLM using a patient-self assessment tool.PATIENTS AND METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed medical data of patients treated with TLM between 2012 and 2017. Voice outcomes were evaluated using the Arabic version of the voice handicap index (VHI). Thirty patients participated in the questionnaire.Scores were collected then studied following type of cordectomy, resection of one or both vocal cords, number of laser sessions and age.RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years. Sex ratio was 141. We performed 3 type III cordectomies, 10 type IV and 17 type Va (extended to the Anterior commissure). Local control was achieved since the first cordectomy in 27 cases, after 2 laser sessions in 2 cases and after 1 laser session in 1 case. The VHI score was realized in a mean delay of 29 months after surgery. The overall mean VHI was 47 (VHI-F= 15, VHI-P= 17 and VHI-E= 15). The handicap severity was considered mild in 2 cases (overall VHI<30), severe in 2 other cases (overall VHI> 60) and moderate in the remaining cases .The mean VHI following type of cordectomy was 26 ±6, 43 ±5 and 53 ±4 respectively in type III, IV and Va cordectomies. The mean overall VHI was 60 ±10 when the resection was extended to controlateral vocal cord (VC). However, it was 45 ±12 when the resection was limited to a single vocal cord. The mean overall VHI increased from 44 ±11 when a unique laser session was performed to 62 ±8 when extra laser sessions were needed. Older patients had a mean VHI equals to 46 ±14. In younger patients it was 48 ±10.CONCLUSION: The VHI is a reliable self assessment tool based on subjective perception of the quality of voice. TLM in well trained hands offers acceptable functional outcomes: