Very long-term Voice Handicap Index Voice Outcomes after Montgomery Thyroplasty: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this multicentric cross-sectional study was to examine the permanency of Montgomery thyroplasty (MTIS) results from a patient's perspective. Design: The study consisted of collecting Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30) questionnaires from patients who had previously been operated with MTIS between 2 and 12 years before. Very long-term (>2 years) postoperative data were compared with the previously acquired preoperative and early postoperative VHI results. Influence of factors such as age, gender, size/side of the prosthesis and length of the follow-up were also analysed. Setting: Multicentric study involving three tertiary European voice centres. Participants: Forty-nine unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) patients, treated by MTIS, were included in the study. Main outcome measures: The Voice Handicap Index-30 score. Results & Conclusions: The median VHI was significantly different over time-points (Friedman's test P