Sulcus Vocalis. Clinical and surgical aspects

• Published in: Journal of voice 2023-10
• Main Authors: Pierri, Isabella Gonçalves, Bueno da Fonseca, Antônio Rodrigues, mendes Tavares, Elaine Lara, Martins, Regina Helena Garcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: sulcus vocalis; treatments; Voice disorders
• ISSN: 0892-1997; 1873-4588; 1873-4588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.09.005

To analyze clinical, vocal and videolaryngoscopic parameters, as well as the treatments of patients with sulcus vocalis. observational study. The medical records of patients diagnosed with sulcus vocalis (type II or III) were selected and demographic data, vocal symptoms, videolaryngostroboscopies, vocal analyzes (perceptual and acoustic) and maximum phonation time were collected. The vocal parameters of patients who underwent microsurgery to treat the sulcus were compared before and after surgery. 109 patients were diagnosed with sulcus however only 60 completed the inclusion criteria (39 women; 21 men), mean age 45 years. Hoarseness and vocal fatigue was reported by 100% and 88% of cases, respectively. Laryngoscopy indicated a type II sulcus (90%), type III sulcus (10%), and an association of the sulcus with other benign lesions (23%), especially polyps. Perceptual evaluations indicated mild to moderate dysphonia, roughness and breathiness of the voice, mean maximum phonation time of 10s, high values of jitter, PPQ and SPI. Twenty-two patients (14 women; 8 men) underwent sulcus microsurgery. The surgery promoted a decrease in the GRBAS scores, an increase in the maximum phonation time and a decrease in the soft phonation index, however other acoustic parameters remained unchanged. patients with sulcus vocalis had mild to moderate dysphonia, in addition to voice roughness and breathiness and elevated fundamental frequency. Surgical treatment improved vocal parameters, but maintained some degree of dysphonia, indicating incomplete restoration of vocal qualities.