Latest Vocal Cord Surgery for Cyst/Polyp, Tumour

Vocal cords are small bands of folded muscles present within the larynx. These muscles vibrate to produce sound. These muscles or vocal cords develop extra, abnormal, cancerous, or non-cancerous growths like nodules, polyps, and cysts, causing vocal cord lesions. These lesions may need to be eliminated through a surgery called the “Vocal Cord Surgery”

What is Vocal Cord Surgery?

Vocal cords surgery is done to remove the cysts, polyps, or tumours developed on the vocal cord. These cords act as guards to the entrance of the windpipe.

The vocal cords vibrate to produce sounds as the exhaled air passes through them. In children and women, these cords are narrower and thin compared to men, where these cords are broad. Hence, men have a higher-pitched hoarse voice than women and children.

Sometimes, when the vocal cords get damaged or strained as a result of abnormal growths or infections, they need to be treated through vocal cord surgery.

Why is Vocal Cord Surgery Performed?

Vocal cord lesions can cause symptoms ranging from hoarseness of voice to loss of voice. Some of the notable symptoms of vocal cord lesions include:

  •  Hoarse voice, 
  • Breathiness or audible breathing,
  • Multi-toned voice, 
  • Loss of vocal range, 
  • Vocal fatigue,
  • Pain in the neck
  • Lump formation in the throat,
  • Frequent coughing, 
  • General weakness,
  • Throat clearing. 

People with vocal nodules and polyps may also develop raspy or scratchy voices with the frequent breaking of voice and extreme voice fatigue. Generally, the above symptoms are accompanied by pain that radiates from one end of the ear to another.

If you develop voice issues or other symptoms, the ENT specialist will examine the head and neck while checking on the voice use history. With the help of a specialised scope, the doctor will see the vocal cords and their vibration. Depending on the detailed examination, the doctor will suggest further diagnosis and treatment, including a voice cord surgery.

How is Vocal Cord Surgery performed?

When non-surgical treatment options are not effective enough to help remove the lesions of the vocal cords, your doctor may suggest surgical options to remove benign growths of the vocal cords. A Voice cord Surgery can be performed by one of the two given methods. Laser Surgery Laser surgery is one of the safe and effective treatments to eliminate benign growths in the vocal cords. Depending on the investigations, medical history, and voice evaluation, the small lesions and growths are removed through laser surgery. Laser surgery is a general outpatient surgery that can be performed in a doctor’s clinic and is mostly done immediately after the diagnosis. The procedure involves the following steps.

  • The doctor will numb the area using a spray.
  • Then, a scope is inserted through the nose down to the throat. 
  • Laser or high-beam light energies are passed through the scope to destroy the lesions. 

Laser surgery is a quick and easy procedure that requires no additional doctor’s appointment. It also causes less pain as the laser precisely and specifically destroys the benign lesions with fewer side effects like bleeding.

Microlaryngoscopy

For vocal cord lesions that are large and positioned in places far from the surgeon’s reach, micro laryngoscopy is performed. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes nearly 30 minutes to an hour. This surgical procedure is done under general anaesthesia and has the following steps.

  • A microscopically magnifying endoscope accesses the vocal cords through the mouth.
  • The tool enables high-quality magnified images of the vocal cords that allow the surgeons to locate and remove the lesions using small surgical instruments.
  • The vocal cords and the surrounding tissues get freed of the extra growths and tumours.

The procedure involves no stitches, and you are likely to go home the same day of the surgery.

Aftercare and Recovery from Vocal Cord Surgery

Be it a laser surgery or a micro laryngoscopy, both the procedures correct the vocal cord dysfunction that improves over time after surgery. However, you will need to go through some of the post-operative care guidelines such as:

  • A complete voice rest, no singing, talking, or even whispering for at least five days after surgery. 
  • Avoid clearing the throat.
  • You can eat and drink as usual. However, if you have acid refluxes, you will need to take your prescribed medications and avoid foods that can exaggerate the condition. 
  • Refrain from alcohol consumption and smoking.
  • Use steam inhalation for 5 to 10 minutes regularly. This can help humidify the throat and alleviate dry throat symptoms. 
  • Drink plenty of water to keep the larynx hydrated.

Conclusion

Vocal cord surgery for vocal cord lesions such as tumours, polyps, or nodules involves fewer side effects and is considered effective. Vocal cord surgery can be performed by two methods. One is with the help of a laser, and the other is by a minimally invasive endoscopy. Both the methods are safe. If you have voice affecting symptoms, pain, or lumps in the throat, you will need to consult an ENT specialist. Dr. Saloni Sinha is one of the most promising ENT specialists who has a huge experience in treating complex ENT issues. She has the latest technologies embellished in her clinic to serve you the best treatment and care.

Are there any Risks or Complications associated with Vocal Cord Surgery?

Vocal cord surgery is generally safe. Vocal cord laser surgery is highly safe. But, micro laryngoscopy can have rare risks associated. Some of them include:

  • Loss of sense of taste for a couple of weeks post-surgery, 
  • Unintended vocal cord injury,
  • Permanent voice change or vocal cord scarring, 
  • Adverse anaesthesia effect.