• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-33
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• 2011

Laser is a relatively recent addition to laryngeal surgery. Since their invention, laser use and applications have expanded rapidly. The use of lasers in surgery has offered a time- and cost-efficient alternative to cold surgical techniques and has been used in the treatment of numerous laryngeal pathologies, including stenoses, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, leukoplakia, nodules, malignant laryngeal disease, and polypoid degeneration (Reinke's edema). Despite the notable benefits, laser surgery is not without disadvantages. Laser heat can increase scarring and cause damage to adjacent tissue. With laser laryngeal microsurgery, there is potential for airway fire, endolaryngeal bleeding, perichondritis, chondritis, granuloma, surgical emphysema, laryngeal stenosis and web formation, postoperative edema and swallowing problem. Surgeons should be known about these complications and could manage properly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2013

Background and Objectives:The purpose of this study is to find features in acoustics and to learn useful features of parameters in order to distinguish laryngeal diseases through many acoustic variables. Materials and Methods:The subjects of this study were 125-male patients who had been diagnosed with vocal nodule, vocal polyp, vocal cyst, Reinke's edema, leukoplakia. To research the features of each disease in acoustics, they are measured 34 parameters by using MDVP. Results:It is clear that in order to see a meaning result when distinguishing laryngeal diseases, $F_0$, $MF_0$, $T_0$, Fhi, Flo, PER variables are significant (p<.05). It means that variables related to fundamental frequency are important to anticipate which group will be diagnosed with Reinke's edema and leukoplakia. vAm had an effect on getting a significant result in terms of amplitude perturbation parameters, which is useful to distinguish between laryngeal polyp/cyst and other laryngeal disease (p<.05). ATRI made a significant result in related to tremor parameters, which is useful to distinguish between laryngeal polyp and other laryngeal disease (p<.05). Conclusion:$F_0$, $MF_0$, $T_0$, Fhi, Flo, PER, vAm, ATRI might be meaningful parameters distinguishing pathologic from benign laryngeal diseases. Especially, the vAm and ATRI are an important factor when forecasting which group would be diagnosed with vocal polyp.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 1998

The developmental and subsequent addition of laser technology to existing surgical techniques offered new and exciting Possibilities for improving traditional endoscopic operations and expanding the scope of the specialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Lasers were found to be Precise, but potentially dangerous, surgical instruments whose use was associated with certain distinct and unprecedented advantages, but also with many unique and potentially serious, and sometimes catastrophic complications. The Purpose of this study was to evaluate the of elation technique of $CO_2$laser, kinds of anesthesia, equipments of operating room, and education of medical staff. Four hundreds 4 cases of $CO_2$laser laryngeal microsurgery were reviewed for the safety of $CO_2$laser in laryngeal microsurgery. Vocal polyp (46,3%) was the most common pathology in our cases. The others were vocal nodule, Reinke`s edema, epiglottic cyst, laryngeal granuloma, laryngeal papilloma, intracordal cysts, laryngeal tuberculosis, laryngeal web, laryngotracheal stenosis, and laryngeal cancer. Following complete equipment controls, treatment area controls, maintenance, service and procedural controls, personel protective equipment, and warning signs, no complications were found in our cases. In conclusion, laryngeal microsurgery with $CO_2$laser could be done safely without complication if complete preoperative preparation and education of medical staff preceded.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2008

Background and Object: The aim of this study is to evaluate the change of patient's subjective voice handicap index (VHI) and acoustic parameters before and after laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal cord disease. Materials and Method: We analyzed 78 patients who received laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal cord disease from January 2004 to February 2007 retrospectively. There were 28 vocal polyp, 40 vocal nodule, 5 intracordal cyst and 5 Reinke's edema. Jitter, shimmer, harmony to noise ratio (HNR) were analyzed before surgery and 2-3months after surgery using the Doctor's speech science program. The voice handicap index introduced by the Pittsburgh Voice Center was used to examine patient's subjective change of voice quality. Results: Acoustic parameters of jitter, shimmer and HNR were improved in patients with vocal polyp and vocal nodule after surgery. The acoustic parameters were not improved in patients with Reinke's edema, statistically. Only jitter was improved significantly in patients with intracordal cyst (p<0.05). The VHI was significantly improved after surgery. The change of jitter and shimmer was significantly correlated with the change of VHI after surgery. Conclusion: The acoustic parameters and VHI were significantly improved in patients with benign vocal disease after laryngeal microsurgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.112-120
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• 2010

Transoral $CO_2$ laser microsurgery has been widely used for various laryngeal diseases. Laser cordectomy for the management of early laryngeal carcinoma has advantages with regards to oncologic results, preservation of laryngeal functions, morbidity and cost in comparison to those of open surgery or radiation therapy. $CO_2$ laser is also applicable to benign vocal fold lesions such as nodules, polyps, cysts, reinke's edema, granulomas, papillomas, hemangiomas and glottis webs. $CO_2$ laser is suitable for microsurgery because it has small focus size and hemostatic effect. We should also recognize the risks of $CO_2$ laser for safe use.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-75
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• 2019

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Reinke's edema is a benign vocal fold disease caused by an edematous laryngeal superficial layer of lamina propria. The first line treatment is cessation of smoking and laryngeal microsurgery. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous steroid injection via cricothyroid membrane in patients with Reinke's edema. Materials and Method From Jan 2010 to July 2018, 33 Patients with Reinke's edema managed by vocal fold steroid injection via the cricothyroid membrane were included in this study. We compared medical records of laryngoscopy, stroboscopy and Multi-Dimensional Voice Program analysis at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Subjective voice improvement was evaluated using Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30). Results 75.7% of the patients showed partial response and 6.06% showed complete response. 93.94% were present smokers and only 4 patients ceased smoking after the treatment. In acoustic analysis, the pre-treatment mean value of jitter, shimmer, and noise to harmonic ratio was 2.30±3.21, 9.34±10.37, 1.11±2.90 each. The post-treatment value was 2.20±1.89, 6.96±5.30, 0.20±0.09 respectively and none of the parameters were statistically significant. For subjective symptom improvement, 25 (75.8%) patients showed a better score on post-treatment VHI-30 compared to pre-treatment. Conclusion According to our study, steroid injection is a relatively safe and effective procedure for patients with Reinke's edema. A vocal fold steroid injection via the cricothyroid membrane can be an alternative treatment option for those who are not able to undergo conventional laryngeal microscopic surgery, however cessation of smoking is necessary for effective treatment.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.14.2-14
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• 1983

Complications and sequelae of the laryngeal trauma are respiratory difficulties, edema or swelling, cellulitis or abscess, fistula, perichondrium and chondritis, chronic laryngeal stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, decannulation difficulty, and impaired voice production etc. Generally, the treatment of laryngeal injuries consists of initial tracheostomy for adequate airway and later surgical intervention for its complications and sequelae. Recently, authors experienced a case of closed laryngeal injury with thyroid cartilage fracture, left vocal cord paralysis, swallowing difficulty and right clavicular fracture owing to automobile accident. With reconstructive surgery for thyroid cartilage fracture, we established an adequate airway, improved swallowing function and better voice production.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 1996

The voice of aged persons is known generally to be somewhat different from that of other adults, suggesting that laryngeal change occurs with advancing age. However, because knowledge of the voice characteristics of aged persons is limited, it is difficult to judge whether their voices arc normal. Chart review and laryngoscopic examination from ninety-one patients with hoarseness over the age of 60(1st group) and one hundred sixteen patients with hoarseness below the age of 50(2nd group) were done to define aging related voice disorders. The following results were obtained. 1) Associated diseases related to laryngeal disease were hypertension(12%), pulmonary disease(4.4%), thyroid disease(1.1%) in 1st group and hypertension(9.5%), thyroid disease(1.7%) in 2nd group. 2) The underlying diseases causing hoarseness in order of frequency were benign vocal fold lesion(37.7%), inflammatory disease(36.8%), functional dysphonia(17%) in 1st group and benign vocal fold lesion(43.6%), functional dysphonia(26.3%), inflammatory disease(16.5%) in 2nd group. 3) In stroboscopic findings, atrophy and sulcus of vocal cords are more prevalent in males than in females and edema of vocal cords is more common in females. Generally the voice characteristics of aged persons depend on the mass of the vocal folds which may be decreased through atrophy or be increased by edema. However, other factors such as systemic diseases, drug side effects and compensatory mechanism to presbylaryngis must be taken into account in diagnosing and treating voice disorders in aged persons.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2007

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is the retrograde movement of gastric contents into the larynx, pharynx, and upper aero-digestive tract. LPR differs from gastroesophageal reflux in that it is often not associated with heartburn and regurgitation symptoms. Otolaryngological manifestations of acid reflux include a wide range of pharyngeal and laryngeal symptoms. Belafsky et al. developed a useful self-administered tool, the reflux symptom index (RSI), for assessing the degree of LPR symptoms. Patients are asked to use a 0 to 5 point scale to grade the following symptoms: 1) hoarseness or voice problems; 2) throat clearing; 3) excess throat mucus or postnasal drip ; 4) difficulty swallowing; 5) coughing after eating or lying down; 6) breathing difficulties ; 7) troublesome or annoying cough; 8) sensation of something sticking or a lump in the throat; 9) heartburn, chest pain, indigestion or stomach acid coming up. A RSI score greater than 13 is considered abnormal. As there is no validated instrument to document the physical findings and severity of LPR, Belafsky et al. developed an eight-item clinical severity scale for judging laryngoscopic finding, the reflux finding score (RFS). They rated eight LPR-associated findings on a scale from 0 to 4 : subglottic edema, ventricular obliteration, erythema/hyperemia, vocal-fold edema, diffuse laryngeal edema, posterior commissure hypertrophy, granuloma/granulation tissue, and thick endolaryngeal mucus. A RFS score of greater than 7 was found to suggest LPR-associated laryngitis. Although both indices (RSI and RFS) are widely used, there is some controversy about their validity (sensitivity and specificity) and reliability (intra-rater and inter-rater) in LPR diagnosis and treatment. We discuss the validity and reliability of RSI and RFS with literature review.