Voice assessment of fat injection vs medialization laryngoplasty in nonparalytic dysphonia

Abstract

Objective: Compare long-term voice outcomes in patients treated with FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia. There is controversy whether fat injection medialization (FIM) is a durable alternative to bilateral medialization laryngoplasty (BML) for nonparalytic dysphonia (atrophy, sulcus, scar, paresis). Both interventions yield improved voice quality, yet comparison of patients' long-term perceptions of their voice after these procedures has not been performed. Methods: Retrospective review of patients who underwent FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia was performed from 2008-2018. Charts were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative diagnosis, intervention, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and follow-up time. Results: Forty-nine patients met our criteria. Fifty procedures were performed (25 FIM, 25 BML). One patient underwent BML with subsequent FIM. There was no significant difference in pre-treatment or post-treatment VHI-10 scores between both groups (Pre-FIM 21 Post-FIM 10.28; Pre-BML 22.48, Post-BML 10.88). Total median follow-up time was 11.3 months (FIM 14.8 months, BML 9.5 months). Using VHI-10 scores recorded at each patient's latest follow-up visit, both groups demonstrated significant decrease (P