Volume 10 Issue 1

Vocal Outcome Following Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Maria Silvia Rosa,Valeria Dell’Era,Massimo Campagnoli,Silvia Campini,Ottavia Barozza,Giovanni Borello,Massimiliano Garzaro andPaolo Aluffi Valletti

1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
2Centre d’Investigation Clinique, CHU Montpellier Montpellier, Inserm, CIC 1411, 34295 Montpellier, France
3IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France

Abstract

Background: Voice alteration is a recognized complication of thyroid surgery, impacting the quality of life and communication for affected individuals. In this prospective observational study, the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) was employed to assess vocal outcomes after thyroidectomy. Method: Between February 2018 and August 2022, 224 patients underwent Thyroid surgery in our department, of which 74 with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were enrolled in accordance with the inclusion criteria. Endoscopic findings and AVQI scores were evaluated before and after surgery (voice analysis was conducted using the Praat software program version 6.0.33). Results: Vocal fold impairment was present in 6.76% of patients after surgery (T1), with full recovery within 3 months. During preadmission evaluation, an AVQI score > 2.35 indicating hoarseness was present in 37 patients (despite normal vocal cord motility). Of these, 25 (67.57%), 26 (70.27%), and 24 (17.76%) maintained this trend at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. No significant variation in mean AVQI values was observed based on gender, age, and central neck dissection. Conclusion: AVQI values did not show significant variations comparing pre- and postoperative values. Thyroid surgery for DTC performed by experienced surgeons does not seem to impact significantly on patients’ voice quality.
Keywords: differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)thyroid surgeryvocal outcomesAcoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI)thyroidvoice
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