Montgomery (R) thyroplasty implant for vocal fold immobility: Phonatory outcomes

Forty-three patients with a diagnosis of unilateral vocal fold immobility u nderwent thyroplasty type I with the Montgomery(R) Thyroplasty Implant Syst em. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations were completed by means of v ideostroboscopic, acoustic, and aerodynamic measures. Clinicians' perceptio ns of vocal quality and patients' satisfaction with the surgery and vocal q uality were determined. Improvements after surgery were observed for glotta l closure, vocal fold amplitude, mucosal wave activity, average intensity, maximum intensity range, maximum phonation time, glottal airflow, average s ound pressure, and subglottal pressure. Average postsurgical fundamental fr equency values fell within normal limits and did not display significant ch anges relative to presurgical values. The clinicians' perceptual evaluation s indicated an improvement in voice quality for most patients. A majority o f patients expressed satisfaction with the surgery and resulting voice qual ity. The results of the present study, in combination with the surgical adv antages that have been described for the Montgomery(R) Thyroplasty Implant System, support the view that this approach offers an attractive alternativ e for treating unilateral vocal fold immobility.