Voice outcome following lateral laryngotomy to remove Teflon granuloma

Formation of a Teflon granuloma may lead to progressive dysphonia and airwa y compromise. Excision of the granuloma by lateral laryngotomy allows prese rvation of the uninvolved lamina propria. A sternothyroid muscle flap or Si lastic implant to medialize the vocal fold restores a straight glottal edge and optimizes voice production. Fifteen patients underwent removal of a Te flon granuloma via a lateral approach. Analysis of data revealed improved a coustic and aerodynamic parameters of voice following surgery. Indices of a coustic perturbation were reduced, and vocal pitch normalized. While the dy namic pitch range was unchanged, the capacity to vary loudness was enhanced . Flow rates in speech, abnormally elevated before surgery, normalized afte r the procedure, and phonation times were significantly longer. Perceptual and stroboscopic data confirmed that voices were improved, but not normal. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.