Treatment Effect of Voice Therapy for Sulcus Vocalis and Vocal Bowing -4 Case Reports-

성대구증과 궁형성대의 발성치료의 효과 -증 례 보 고-

The treatment of sulcus vocalis and vocal bowing has been commonly used Thyroplasty Type surgery or injection within vocal folds such as Teflon, silicone, collagen. However, and treatment has not been acquired satisfactory treatment effect. This study was conducted to demonstrate voice therapy effect using singer's vocal technique and respiratory training. 4 patients (1 male, 3 females) with sulcus vocalis or bowing, with or without scar were selected for this study and we compared with acoustic, aerodynamic measures and stroboscopy observation before and after voice therapy. The results showed that 1) case 1 (48yr, male) with sulcus vocalis decreased F0 (Fundamental Frequency), increase CQ(Close Quotient) and high degree of satisfaction but not improved voice quality after voice therapy. 2) case 2(19yrs, femal) with mild sulcus vocalis improved as normal voice quality after voice therapy. 3) case 3(38yrs, female) with functional bowing showed abnormalvocal contact before therapy whereas CQ was increased after voice therapy. 4) case 4(27yrs, female) with vocal atrophy and vocal bowing changed normal range of Fo and increased CQ after voice therapy. Even though contact area of both vocal folds was increased and lowered F0 after voice therapy, current outcomes revealed that normal voice quality was not regained. These results might signify that it was difficult that vocal folds couldn't be recovery of symmetry and viscoelastic property of mucosal wave through voice therapy. However, it was difficult for this study to maintain voice therapy so that evaluate effect of voice therapy for long-term. Further study will be needed to long-term follow-up for voice therapy with these patients.