Case 76 (2008) 46 yo

She is 46 years old and has tried unsuccessfully to alter her voice prior to considering surgery.

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

5 months

1 year

 

Reading passage

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

    

Pitch: about C3# - mid male range

(typical male speaking range about B2 - E3)

Pitch: about G3 (about 6 semitones higher than pre-op)

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

 

 

Lowest pitch

      

Pitch: about G2 (normal male low range varies C1 - C3)

Pitch: about F3

 

  

Highest pitch

      

Pitch: about D4

Pitch: about F4

Pitch:

  

Vegetative sounds

coughing & throat clearing

      

 

 

 

  

Yell

loud phonation

      

 

 

higher pitch

  

Laryngoscopy

Views

        
abduction overview of cords
 
 
  

Stroboscopy

saying the sound /i/

        

strobe view

Views during phonation.
 

 

Views during phonation.

  
Neck front view:

Neck front view

 

 
Neck profile view:

Neck front view

 

 
The surgeon’s comments:

She had a feminization laryngoplasty and a thyrohyoid elevation. I removed about 50% off the front of the vocal cords.

 
The patient’s comments:

4 March 2009: "I am very very pleased with the results with my new voice - it has made it so much easier for me - now I feel my voice is aligned with my correct gender. The operation and the recovery for me has gone very well and I am so pleased with what you have done for me. I now don't feel at all apprehensive about speaking whatever the situation because I'm totally confident about what will come out. Can't thank you all enough - thankyou so much. "