Remove changes to your vocal cords
Verbal communication, i.e. Speech is key to socializing with others.
There is no function of speech without our vocal cords. They are like an instrument, and in order to produce a beautiful melody, they need to be maintained and taken care of.
We often neglect the health of our vocal cords until the moment when problems such as hoarseness, cracking of the voice or difficulty speaking appear. In most cases, warm tea and lozenges will help.
However, if they repeat the same cases consecutively, your vocal cords may need special treatment.
In cases where conservative methods of treatment do not help, surgery to remove changes in the vocal cords becomes the best solution for you.
When air passes through the duct between the vocal cords, its permeability can be disturbed by unevenness of the vocal cords, formations (nodules or polyps most often, or tumors).
These formations are responsible for creating vibrations that alter the flow of air, thus creating a voice disorder or dysphonia.
In the case of human sound production, air from the lungs passes through the trachea and reaches the vocal cords. By contracting and relaxing the vocal cords, a synchronized vibration occurs, which as a result produces sound.
When the vocal cords are completely relaxed, air passes freely through the airways and no sound is produced (breathing).
The more the vocal cords are connected, the higher the frequency of the sound will be.
If we consider the simplicity of the sound production mechanism, it is truly amazing how much we can do with our vocal cords. Therefore, caring for their health should not be neglected.
Rarely do vocal cord problems occur as a result of poor genetics. Vocal cord problems are most often manifested due to external factors, and are primarily the result of our bad habits.
There are many factors that affect the health of your vocal cords:
Smoke from cigarettes and other tobacco products can significantly shorten the life of your vocal cords. The same goes for the smoke produced by electric cigarettes. The chemicals used to create various flavors in smoke can permanently damage both the vocal cords and lungs.
Even without the presence of nicotine and dangerous chemicals, inhaling hot air in itself can be harmful to the vocal cords.
Excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol has a detrimental effect on the mucous membranes, and also results in fluid loss and dehydration.
Stomach acid also irritates the mucous membranes around the vocal cords, and increased consumption of foods rich in sugar and fat, alcohol and coffee, can very quickly disrupt the balance in the stomach.
Acid can worsen existing problems, such as asthma or sinusitis.
Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of those who suffer from diabetes.
Namely, peripheral neuropathy is responsible for the loss of sensation, muscle activity, or functions of internal organs.
Because of this, in some cases, there may be disruptions in the functioning of the vocal cords.
Professional singers, actors, and announcers use their vocal cords more often than the rest of the population. Therefore, after a long period of time, there is a strain and their weakened function.
Dry air during the heating season, noise in the work environment or smoky rooms are just some of the many conditions that can harm the health of your vocal cords.
The use of medications, such as inhaled steroids to treat asthma, can result in voice change or hoarseness. Diuretics also cause a change in the humidity of the vocal cords and pharynx, due to fluid loss.
Disorders in the work of the vocal cords are suspected only when the problems are repeated consecutively.
Hoarseness after a concert is a normal phenomenon and will pass in a few days, but chronic hoarseness, difficulty speaking and cracking of the voice, which disrupt your everyday life, can indicate the development of some of the following disorders:
This painless growth on the vocal cords can cause problems such as coughing, hoarseness and fatigue of the voice.
Polyps occur as a result of acute bleeding that occurs due to excessive strain on the vocal cords (yelling, noise at work, talking…). Habits such as smoking and coffee or alcohol consumption contribute even more to the development of polyps.
Vocal nodules are protrusions that occur at the edges of the vocal cords, and are caused by excessive strain on the vocal cords.
Due to the use of higher frequencies in speech, nodules are more common in women and children. The so-called forced phonation occurs when the edges of the vocal cords vibrate at the highest amplitude, and the mechanical collision of these vocal cords results in tissue damage and thickening.
Cysts on the vocal cords are a rare occurrence because the vocal cords do not have glandular tissue on them. However, during embryonic development, it is possible to transfer such tissue to the vocal cords. The main side effect of a cyst is significant hoarseness and difficulty talking.
This disease affects the superficial part of the vocal cords, the so-called lamina propria. This part of the vocal cords is one of the most important for the formation of the voice because the mucus that is located in this part helps in the formation of sound waves. The disease is benign, and the main cause is smoking.
Vocal cord cancer is also one of the diseases that is closely related to smoking.
Before the tumor, pre-cancerous lesions, red and white tissues, which turn into a tumor with later development, are possible. Removal of these lesions significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer.
Paralysis of the vocal cords occurs when nerve injuries in the brainstem and near the vocal cords. Paralysis of the left vocal cord occurs more often because the recurrent nerve has a longer path from the brainstem to the larynx, which increases the chances of its compression or surgical injury.
When conservative treatment methods, such as lozenges or hot drinks, no longer help, going for diagnostic examinations is the best solution for detecting any disorders related to the health of your vocal cords.
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we diagnose disorders of the vocal cords through several methods:
Using a flexible endoscope, we observe the area of the nose, pharynx, larynx and the initial part of the esophagus and thus determine the existence of possible pathologies.
With video documentation of the anatomy of the vocal cords, throat and other surrounding structures, we get an insight into possible disorders related to voice production.
Using a fiberoptic laryngoscope, the doctor examines your airways. The examination is performed under anesthesia, which makes you more relaxed and prevents the “gag” reflex. With a detailed examination, the doctor gets an insight into the structure of the vocal cords and larynx.
During laryngoscopy, the doctor may take a tissue sample from the vocal cords. This tissue is later analyzed under a microscope to detect abnormalities, such as tumors or cysts.
After the diagnostic examinations, our team of specialists in neck and head surgery and otorhinolaryngology provides you with guidelines for continuing to treat the detected problems.
In the case of surgery, you will be familiar with all the instructions that you must follow in order for the procedure to go without complications and for the recovery to be as fast as possible.
Since general anesthesia is used for vocal cord surgery, you will need to provide us with certain findings before the procedure, such as an ECG recording, laboratory results or even spirometry findings.
With these findings, we have an insight into your normal vital functions, which will serve us for comparison during vocal cord surgery.
If we notice any deviations due to the action of general anesthesia, such as rapid breathing and heart rate, your findings can alert us to the occurrence of possible complications.
In addition to the attached documentation, before the operation, you will sign a consent in which you will once again be informed in detail about the procedure for applying general anesthesia, the procedure of the operation and the complications that can occur during the procedure.
Before vocal cord surgery, be sure to adhere to the following guidelines:
If you suffer from blood clotting disorders, be sure to inform us about it so that we can decide on an adequate solution, or completely postpone the procedure.
Also, if any of your loved ones have allergic reactions to anesthesia, or if you have noticed similar problems during previous surgeries, please inform us so that we can adjust the methods of surgery.
There are several methods through which surgery can be performed on the vocal cords. But before that, in order for the operation to be painless and with as little trauma as possible, good preparation is needed.
Upon entering the office, you will immediately lie down on the operating table. Once you are comfortable, the anesthesiologist puts you under the action of general anesthesia. General anesthesia will make the procedure painless, and you will not even remember the operation.
The anesthesiologist will monitor your vital functions throughout the procedure and will pay attention to possible complications.
When you are in an unconscious state, the operation can begin. At the LF Polyclinic, we perform several types of vocal cord surgeries:
Also known as microlaryngoscopy, this procedure uses laser equipment to remove tissues such as polyps, nodules, tumors and other types of lesions.
The fiberendoscope is used to locate the vocal cords, and with a special probe that emits laser energy, we remove excess tissue.
The operation usually lasts between 60-90 minutes, and you are allowed to go home after the procedure.
Vocal cord augmentation is a standard procedure used to treat vocal cord paralysis. If you suffer from vocal cord paralysis, your vocal cords cannot fully fuse. This leads to problems with sound generation and slurred speech.
But during this procedure, the surgeon increases the volume of your vocal cords by injecting hyaluronic acid fillers or ointments.
Your vocal cords are thickened after the procedure and sound production is facilitated.
The procedure does not last longer than 30 minutes.
Instead of injecting it into the vocal cords, this procedure relies on the use of implants in the larynx to change the position of the vocal cords.
This procedure, even better known as thyroplasty, does not last longer than 2 hours.
After almost every operation , you are released home the same day. However, following the instructions we have given you can play a big role between proper healing and the occurrence of complications.
After the operation, you can resume your daily activities, with minimal strain. Any kind of strain can irritate the wounds on the vocal cords and encourage the development of complications.
Depending on the severity of the surgery, you should not make any sounds for 3-14 days. In other words, even whispering or talking softly is not allowed.
Your diet must be as light as possible and of poor integrity; Avoid foods that are chewed a lot, as well as swallowing large bites. In the beginning, you will like foods such as yogurt, ice cream or pudding the most.
Likewise, you avoid hot drinks and food. The high temperature of food and drink can cause blood vessels to dilate and open wounds.
After vocal cord surgery, you may encounter side effects typical of any surgery, such as bleeding, infection, or an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
However, there are several other side effects associated with vocal cord surgery:
At the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic , we are aware of how important your voice is for everyday interaction with others. That is why we apply modern technology and methods that bring your vocal cords back into shape.
Problems such as hoarseness, straining when speaking, or cracking your voice no longer have to be a problem for you. Make an appointment today by calling +3851 2444 646, or by filling out the online form.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
