Get rid of growths that cause hoarseness and difficulty speaking
Sound production, or the human voice, is one of the basic tools of communication of the human race. The healthier the vocal cords, the clearer and easier to understand speech for others.
However, straining the vocal cords, such as shouting or frequent talking, can result in injuries and thickening of tissues, or polyps. Although they are painless, polyps are often responsible for the appearance of chronic hoarseness and difficulty talking.
Since they cannot shrink and go away over time, polyp surgery on the vocal cords is considered the best solution for treating hoarseness, difficulty speaking or frequent cracking of the voice.
The vocal cords are nothing more than thin tissue of muscles and mucous membranes that contract when air flows. Their role is to regulate the amount of air that passes through the trachea, thereby creating sound.
By exhaling the air and contracting the vocal cords, their vibrations occur, and the synchronized movement creates sound waves that, in combination with other vibrations, are transformed into intelligible speech.
Completely relaxed vocal cords do not produce any sound and allow air to flow without any interference (breathing).
When constantly shouting, roaring, singing loudly or singing at an unnaturally low frequency, there is an increased strain on the vocal cords. This strain can cause the capillaries in the vocal cords to rupture and lesions to form.
If the lesions break again, due to the frequent wear of the vocal cords, thickened tissue is formed, which eventually develops into a growth known as a polyp.
Polyps on the vocal cords are painless, but they cause various problems, such as hoarseness, cracking of the voice and difficulty speaking. What makes the situation complicated is that even greater strain, due to hoarseness, can result in an increase in polyps.
In other words, if you ignore polyps on the vocal cords and persistently force speech regardless of the disturbance, it can lead to even greater hoarseness and difficulty speaking.
Polyps on the vocal cords can also occur due to other factors.
Gastric reflux occurs when acid from the stomach returns to the esophagus. Since the esophagus does not have a mucous membrane that would protect the tissue from acid, this phenomenon can be unpleasant due to the feeling of pain and burning in the chest and throat.
If the acid returns to the throat more often, the vocal cord tissue can be irritated, and as a consequence, polyps can develop.
To reduce the return of stomach acid to the esophagus and throat, try to avoid large meals before bedtime, and also try to reduce the consumption of coffee and alcohol.
Allergies can irritate the respiratory tract, including your vocal cords. Frequent coughing and sneezing can cause strain on the vocal cords and a feeling of “scratching” of the throat.
The formation of lesions, and later polyps, are more common in seasonal allergies, when the symptoms are longer and when the vocal cords are more exposed to the irritating allergen.
Whether it’s cigarettes or other tobacco products, inhaling smoke can harm the health of your vocal cords. In addition to the high smoke temperature, nicotine is found in tobacco products, which, together with the tar formed, harms your health even more.
In addition to tobacco products, alcohol also disrupts the condition of your vocal cords. In addition to being able to trigger acid reflux, alcohol dehydrates the body, which usually results in a dry throat. Smoking and alcohol in combination significantly increase the risk of throat cancer.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is significantly slowed down. It is recognized by a slower metabolism, which is associated with symptoms such as slow speech, fatigue, weight gain, tendency to depression, etc.
Due to hormonal changes, as well as thickening of the thyroid gland, it can lead to difficult work of the vocal cords and strain when speaking. Such occurrences can very easily result in the appearance of polyps.
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 polyps.
With video documentation of the anatomy of the vocal cords, throat and other surrounding structures, we get an insight into the existing growths.
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 tests before the procedure, such as an ECG recording, laboratory results or even spirometry findings.
With these test results, 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 removing a polyp, it is imperative 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.
Surgery for polyps on the vocal cords is performed in two ways: with LASER or with the standard surgical method.
Once you are seated on the operating table, the anesthesiologist gives you general anesthesia. Due to the action of general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain, and you will not even remember the procedure.
The anesthesiologist will observe your vital functions during the operation and will react if he notices any changes that could indicate complications.
When you are in an unconscious state, an ENT specialist and a head and neck surgeon begin the operation.
Before removing the polyp, an operating microscope is passed through the airways. It can be used to clearly identify and locate the polyp, and it is the only way for the surgeon to successfully remove the polyp from the vocal cords.
Once the vocal cord has been located with a microscope, the surgeon can remove the polyp using two methods:
The surgeon conducts a probe through the airways, which emits laser energy at the top. LASER enables accurate and precise tissue removal, and the wounds produced are minimal.
Microsurgical removal of polyps with a cold knife/fine scissors is a more common technique of vocal cord surgery. Although the laser is more precise in removing small growths, there is a risk of damage to the surrounding tissues due to heat emitted.
The polyp is removed with a knife in the presence of a microlaryngoscope.
The surgery usually takes between 30-60 minutes.
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 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.
Polyps are painless growths and their presence is ignored until the first problems appear. Unfortunately, they cannot go away on their own and need to be surgically removed.
Problems such as hoarseness, straining when speaking and cracking of the voice are just some of the phenomena that can arise due to polyps on the vocal cords.
Therefore, do not wait for the hoarseness to disappear naturally, but 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.
