Voice Clinic & Microlaryngeal Surgery

What is Voice Clinic?

A Voice Clinic is a specialized medical facility focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of voice disorders and related conditions. These clinics cater to a diverse patient population, including professional voice users (singers, actors, teachers) and individuals with voice problems due to various causes (e.g., vocal cord nodules, polyps, laryngitis, neurological disorders).

Services Provided at a Voice Clinic:

1. Comprehensive Evaluation:

• Detailed medical history and physical examination.
• Assessment of voice quality, pitch, volume, and resonance.
• Use of specialized tools, such as stroboscopy (a technique that allows visualization of vocal cord vibrations).

2. Diagnosis:

• Identification of underlying causes of voice disorders, including structural abnormalities, functional issues, or neurological conditions.

3. Treatment Options:

• Voice Therapy: Customized exercises and techniques to improve vocal function, often conducted by a speech-language pathologist.
• Medications: Treatment of underlying conditions (e.g., allergies, reflux) that may contribute to voice issues.
• Surgical Interventions: If necessary, referring patients for procedures such as microlaryngeal surgery.

4. Education and Counseling:

• Teaching patients about vocal hygiene, proper vocal technique, and lifestyle modifications to prevent voice strain or injury.

What is Microlaryngeal Surgery?

Microlaryngeal Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on the larynx (voice box) using an operating microscope. This technique is primarily used to treat various conditions affecting the vocal cords, including:

• Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps: Benign growths on the vocal cords caused by overuse or misuse of the voice.
• Laryngeal Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can interfere with normal vocal cord function.
• Laryngeal Papillomatosis: Benign tumors caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that can lead to airway obstruction.
• Vocal Cord Paralysis: Condition where one or both vocal cords do not move normally, affecting voice and breathing.
• Cancer of the Larynx: Surgical removal of malignant lesions on the vocal cords.

Benefits of Microlaryngeal Surgery:

• Minimally Invasive: The use of microsurgical techniques reduces trauma to surrounding tissues and promotes faster recovery.
• Preservation of Voice: The goal is to remove abnormalities while preserving normal vocal cord function.
• Daycare Procedure: Many patients can return home the same day.