Case 63 (2008) 36 yo

This 36 yo has been living full time for a year, off and on for 7 years. In person, perception of feminity is mixed and on the phone she is always called sir. She has done a lot of vocal training.

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 this case of laryngeal reduction 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 should not be construed to represent what will be acheived in any other patient. Thus there are several examples of patients on the site

There are many components to a voice exam. I have selected ones here that I feel change the most with this type of surgery.

 

Pre Surgery

7 months

 

 

Reading passage

Pitch is described relative to C4 or middle C on the piano.

    

Pitch: about E3 - mid-male range

(typical male speaking range about B2 - E3)

Her best effort is about G3

Pitch: about G3 - about 3 notes higher

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

Pitch: about

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

 

Lowest pitch

    

Pitch: about D3# (normal male low range varies C1 - C3)

Pitch: about F3 (normal female low range varies between B2 - F3)

Pitch: about

  

Highest pitch

    

Pitch: about G4#

Pitch: about E5

Pitch: about

  

Vegetative sounds

coughing & throat clearing

    

 

 

 

  

Yell

loud phonation

    

 

 

 

  

Laryngoscopy

Views

        
vocal cords
 vocal cords
 
  

Stroboscopy

saying the sound /i/

        
vocal cords
 
 
  
Neck front view:

Neck front view

Neck front view

 
Neck profile view:

Neck front view

Neck front view

 
The surgeon’s comments:

I removed about 50% of her anterior vocal cords.

 
The patient’s comments:

April 7 2009: Dr. Thomas will be forever in my mind, because my voice was my biggest concern, and with his innovatory surgery I can say that he saved my life!
Many years before undergone to this surgery, I worked a lot with vocal training. My fundamental pitch raised and was quite good (160Hertz) but my resonance was very bad and so on the phone I was always perceived as a male (it was awful!), so I decide to have my surgery as a last resort.
The scar was nearly two inches, but is very high on the neck, almost under the chin, and moreover now is almost impossible to detect it even if you know exactly where to look at!
The overall result is over my best expectation and I can say that this surgery has really changed my life and my relationship with people!