The effect of Isshiki type 1 thyroplasty on quality of life and vocal performance

Type 1 thyroplasty for unilateral vocal cord palsy improves many vocal outc ome measures but then is little information on quality of life despite its increasingly recognized importance. Our prospective study examined its effe ct on a range of subjective and objective measures and quality of life. Twe nty-seven patients underwent thyroplasty. Before and after surgery they com pleted a vocal performance questionnaire and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP); instrumental analyses of jitter, shimmer and noise-harmonic ratio (N HR); and perceptual analyses of grade, roughness, breathiness, aesthenia an d strain (GRBAS) were also performed. Significant improvements were Found i n instrumental, perceptual and self-assessment of voice and the energy, soc ial and emotional dimensions of the NHP. Three patients had initially poor results but were successfully revised. These results of type 1 thyroplasty compare favourably with those previously published. The improvement in qual ity of life appears to result directly from improved voice. Many thyroplast y patients have limited life expectancy: early surgical intervention should be considered.