Comparative voice quality evaluation after laser surgical versus fronto-lateral partial laryngectomy in T1b and T2 vocal cord carcinoma

We conducted a study to compare the voice quality after transoral endolaryngeal laser surgery versus anterolateral partial laryngectomy in terms of ability to communicate effectively. Two groups each of 8 patients were reexamined at least 6 months after either a laser surgical or a partial anterolateral laryngectomy for a T1b or T2 vocal chord carcinoma was performed by the same surgeon. The following examinations were conducted: video-laryngoscopy, video-stroboscopy, phonetogram when reading a standard text or when speaking and shouting, voice load test, respiratory flow measurement, auditive voice rating following the RBH model, and auditive rating of the voice by the patients according to a questionnaire. A voice disorder with a medium-grade dysphony and an essential limitation of the speaking and shouting voice function and voice quality was detected in both groups of patients. No significant differences were observed in any of the parameters evaluation in both groups of patients. Both surgical techniques appear to be equivalent in terms of postoperative voice function. However, the tracheotomy was avoided in the patients undergoing laser surgery.