Case 3 (2002) 55 yo
These recordings are set to a fairly low resolution for the internet but do demonstrate the general sound and function of the vocal cords before and after cricothyroid approximation surgery. Much more detail is actually visible in the office. The videos when shown are oriented with the front down and the left vocal fold is on the right of the video. Orientation is discussed here. Please note: These examples of possible results are not a guarantee of results. In my experience, there is about a 30% rate of having the pitch return to nearly the presurgical range.
There are many components to a voice exam. I have selected ones here that I feel change the most with this type of surgery.
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Pre Surgery |
10 weeks Post Surgery |
Reading passagePitch is described relative to C4 or middle C on the piano. |
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Pitch: about C3 (typical male speaking range about B2 - E3) |
Pitch: about G3# (normal female speaking range about E3 - A3) |
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Lowest pitch |
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Pitch: about G2# (normal male varies C1 - C3) |
Pitch: about A3 (normal female varies B2 - F3) |
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Vegetative soundscoughing & throat clearing |
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Pitch: |
Pitch: a little higher and softer |
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Yellloud phonation |
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a little softer |
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Rigid stroboscopysaying the sound /i/ at a low pitch |
no video | no video |