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.