• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Vocal polyp is one of the most common benign diseases of vocal fold caused by overuse of voice. Laryngeal microsurgery is the first treatment of choice for vocal polyp. However, surgery has many risks such as side effects of general anesthesia, injury of tooth and psychological burden. And we often experience reduction of vocal polyps without surgical procedure. The purpose of study is to evaluate the effect of non-surgical treatment such as vocal hygiene education and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with vocal polyp. Materials and Method We performed retrospective study for seventy-three patients of vocal polyp who treated with non-surgical modalities such as vocal hygiene education and PPI over three months. Treatment outcomes and risk factors such as age, sex, polyp size, position, symptom duration, presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms, smoking history, voice abuse history and vocal hygiene education were evaluated by comparison between polyp size improved group and non-improved group. Results 5.5% of enrolled patients showed complete response and 23.3% showed partial response without surgery. Polyp size improved group significantly carried out more practice of vocal hygiene education treatment than the non-improved group (p=0.040). And the presence of LPR symptoms [hazard ratio (HR) 3.368, confidence interval (CI) 1.055-10.754, p=0.040] and not performing of vocal hygiene education (HR 3.664, 95% CI 1.078-12.468, p=0.038). Conclusion Vocal hygiene education can be a useful treatment option when making a decision to treat with vocal polyp.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.686-691
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• 2018

Background and Objectives Previous studies have suggested the usefulness and importance of postoperative voice therapy, for which there are indirect and direct methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment according to different voice therapy methods. Subjects and Method Patients with vocal polyp were divided into three groups. Group 1 received direct voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery and Group 2 indirect voice therapy after phonomicrosurgery. Group 3 did not receive any voice therapy. Results Perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic voice outcome parameters differed significantly between pre and post-operative treatments. In almost all of the voice analysis, Group 1, who underwent direct voice therapy, improved more significantly compared with Group 2 and 3. Conclusion Postoperative voice therapy following phonomicrosurgery may be an effective adjuvant treatment in patients with vocal polyps. In particular, direct voice therapy can be effective for improving postoperative voice outcome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : Vocal polyps and nodules are representative chronic benign laryngeal disease. Treatment options for vocal polyp and nodule in general include voice therapy or laryngeal microsurgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze voice results before and after laryngeal microsurgery. Materials and Method: Vocal polyp and vocal nodule patients were treated by laryngeal microsurgery from March 2004 to December 2006 at Kosin University Hospital. All were women. Voice analysis studies were done before and after laryngeal microsurgery. Five measurements were performed: MPT, Fo, jitter, shimmer and NHR. Results: There was significant improvement in the vocal polyp patients regarding MPT, jitter, shimmer and NHR. Also there was significant improvement in the vocal nodule patients regarding MPT, jitter and shimmer. Conclusion: MPT, jitter, shimmer and NHR will be effective acoustic parameters in documenting the quantitative changes in the vocal polyp patients. MPT, jitter and shimmer will be effective acoustic parameters in documenting the quantitative changes in the vocal nodule patients before and after laryngeal microsurgery.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.11.2-11
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• 1983

Vocal nodules and polyps are much more frequent in singers, public speakers, teachers and actors. Voice trauma and voice misuse, at times associated with mild inflammatory reaction, appear to be important in their etiology. It is generally agreed that vocal cord nodules and polyps are inflammatory in nature and they arise in the subepithelial layer of loose connective tissue of the vocal cord. Since the junction of anterior and middle thirds of the membranous cord and has the greatest amplitude of vibration. This is the site of predilection for vocal cord nodules. The author performed laryngomicrosurgery for 70 cases of vocal nodules and polyps at Ewha Womans University Hospital during the period of 5 years. The result obtained were as follows ; 1) Surgical excision is not necessarily the best approach because vocal nodules in the early stages will resolve with the simplest voice therapy. 2) In children, surgery is rarely indicated because most nodules in children regress during adolescence. 3) For patients who use their voices professionally, voice therapy is indicated for three months. 4) If after three month of conservative treatment the cord lesion does not improve and the patient it still dissatisfied with his voice, laryngomicrosurgery can then be considered. 5) The small cuffed endotracheal tube in the interarytenoid space helps to keep the cords immobile and in an abducted position. 6) Removal of the nodule shoule be started by gentle retraction posteriorly and as soon as a tear appears anterior to the nodule. 7) On occasion it is preferable to start the dissection with a siccle knife while the nodule is held on the stretch. 8) Voice rest should be maintained for a week following which the free edges of the cords are usually healed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2002

Background and Objectives : Intracordal cysts may occur secondary to voice abuse and overuse or may be secondary to a remnant of epithelium trapped within the lamina propria. They nay occur spontaneously or may be associated with poor vocal hygiene. As the cyst enlarges it can start to significantly affect the vibratory region of the vocal fold. Recently, with the advancement of the microsurgical technique and the laryngeal stroboscopy, correct diagnosis of intracordal cyst have been increased. The aims of this study is to review the important clinical characteristics of the intracordal cyst. Materials and Method : In the present study, 121 cases of the intracordal cyst were treated by the microsurgical technique. These lesions were diagnosed before the operation with indirect laryngoscopy, laryngeal endoscopy, laryngeal stroboscopy and confirmed with the findings observed during operations and the results of the biopsies. Results : The intracordal cysts were 121 cases in the 2595 patients who underwent laryngeal micorosurgery(4.7%). Ductal cyst were 88 cases and epidermoid cyst were 33 cases. The lesions are more frequent in women and anterior third of true vocal cord is more frequently involved site. With the indirect laryngoscopic examination, the ductal cysts are more frequently misdiagnosed as other diseases of the vocal cord such as vocal polyps or nodules. The degree of postoperative voice satisfaction is similar to that of vocal polyps. Conclusion : Intracordal cysts are very similar to the other mucosal disorders of the vocal cord and it may be misdiagnosed as vocal polyps or nodules, frequently. Therefore careful preoperative examinations for the vocal cord lesions with stroboscopy and other endoscopic instruments are important part of the correct diagnosis. An ideal treatment is enucleation of the cysts without upture of the cystic wall or injury of the lamina propria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: The 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) has recently been adopted by otolaryngologists because of its epithelial-sparing properties. Many authors have reported the use of PDL for treatment of various vocal cord lesions. This purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of 585-nm PDL in the treatment of vocal polyp. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with vocal polyp were treated with 585-nm PDL from Sep. 2006 to Nov. 2006 in Yong-dong Sevrance hospital. 5 of them went through local anesthesia and 3 of them went through general anesthesia. In order to control laser fiber, flexible digital transnasal laryngoscope was applied under local anesthesia and general anesthesia using LMA, and micromanipulator was used under general anesthesia using endotracheal tube. The evaluations of vocal function was done at pre-and postoperation. Results: All patients improved in the perceptual evaluation of voice after PDL surgery. The aerodynamic study revealed that 5 of 8 patients showed improvement in maximal phonation time, and 6 of 8 showed improvement in mean airflow rate during phonation. The acoustic analysis revealed that all patients showed improvement in Jitter and Shimmer, and 7 of 8 showed improvement in noise to harmony ratio. Conclusion: This study demonstrates promising results in the efficacy of 585-nm PDL for the treatment of vocal polyps, and it illustrates a new option for vocal polyp treatment as well as the advantage of PDL surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2015

Background and Objectives:The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) evaluates the patients perception of impact of voice disorder in term of functional, physical, emotional factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of patient's subjective voice handicap index before and after laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal cord lesions. Materials and Methods:We analyzed 55 patients who received laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal cord disease from January 2011 to February 2013 retrospectively. There were 50 vocal nodules, 3 vocal polyps, 2 vocal cysts. VHI were analyzed before surgery and 3 months after surgery. Results:The VHI scores showed statistically significant reductions postoperatively in functional and emotional VHI (p=0.01 and p=0.034). Also, Emotional VHI score after microsurgery was higher in female than male [adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=0.292 ; 95% confidence interval, CI=0.098-0.869, p=0.01]. Conclusion:In other words, males experience significant more emotional effects that are improved after microscopic surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2019

Background and Objectives For patients with polyps and cysts, glottal gaps resulting from their lesions have negative respiratory effects when they vocalize. Phonatory Aerodynamic System is clinically used, but is often limited in the measurement of vowels. So the researchers attempted to verify the usefulness of Phonatory Aerodynamic System by comparing differences in respiratory characteristics and patterns which can be measured by the level of connected speech. Materials and Method Among the subjects who were diagnosed through a stroboscopy, there were 33 patients with polyps and 23 patients with cysts. Then, 36 subjects who were found to have no specific findings through a stroboscopy and perceptual test were selected to the normal group. We compared respiratory characteristics and patterns. And compared vocal polyps and cysts before and after laryngeal micro surgery (LMS). Results First, difference in respiratory patterns between the normal group and the patients with polyps and cysts were examined to show that breath groups, breath group syllables, and expiratory·inspiratory volume were significantly higher in the polyp/cyst group than those in the normal group, indicating that precision was lowered during the conversation, due to reduction in speech intelligibility and interruption of communication. Second, there were significant differences in maximum phonation time, mean flow rate, and subglottal pressure among respiratory characteristics, breath groups, breath group syllables, and inspiratory volume before and after LMS, which appeared to be similar to the normal group. Conclusion The understanding of respiratory characteristics and patterns produced by patients in connected speech which is most similar to natural speech was found to be the objective and useful method for examining characteristics of the subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 1997

Background : For example, aerodynamic study, vibratory study, acoustic study, neuro-muscular test and psychoacoustic evaluation, a number of objective methods are now available for assessing pathologic voice change. They help to differentiate pathologic condition from normal condition and to monitor pathologic and aging change. These laboratory analyses are used commonly to monitor speech therapy and to follow a patient's recovery after surgery. Objectives : We investigated the values of jitter, shimmer and NNE of normal person and hoarseness patients in Korea. The values of Jitter and shimmer might be meaningful parameters distinguishing pathologic vibration from normal and recovery after surgery. Materials and Methods : Statistical significance between normal control and 48 subjects taken microlaryngeal surgery were compared with Dr. speech science program that is computerized system for acoustic analysis of voice production employed to determine vocal characteristics of pitch perturbation(jitter) and amplitude perturbation(shimmer). Results : The mean normal values of jitter and shimmer were 0.226${\pm}$0.110(%), 2.200${\pm}$0.421(%) in male and 0.164${\pm}$0.060(%), 2.063 ${\pm}$0.575(%) in female. In patients with vocal nodule, the preoperative and postoperative values of jitter and shimmer were valueless. In patients with vocal polyps, the preoperative and postoperative values of jitter and shimmer were valuable. Conclusion : Dr. speech science program was effective to monitor laryngeal disease and aging changes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.153-156
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• 2021

Indications of fiberoptic laryngeal laser surgery (FLS) procedure have broadened by the development of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes and flexible laser systems. FLS procedure performed under local anesthesia and it is the unique value of FLS. The surgery can be performed on patients who are impossible to undergo general anesthesia and difficult to be exposed by laryngeal microsurgery. Main indication of FLS procedure was small to moderate sized hemorrhagic vocal polyp, but we experienced a case of huge vocal polyp with difficult laryngeal exposure treated by FLS procedure under local anesthesia. The vocal polyp was removed successfully without vocal fold scar through fiberoptic laryngeal laser surgery under local anesthesia.