Anterior glottoplasty: the effect of inclusion of the vocal fold lamina propria to frequency elevation

Abstract

Background

Anterior glottoplasty is a commonly used treatment for voice feminization. But it remains in dispute over whether to suture of the ligament as part of the procedure.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the effect of inclusion of the vocal lamina propia.

Material and methods

Anterior webs were created in 8 excised canine larynges by sutures placed at 10%, 20%, and 30% of the vocal fold length, respectively. The suture depth was divided into two groups: epithelium layer (Shallow Suture, SS group) and deep layers of vocal fold lamina propia (Deep Suture, DS group).

Results

For anterior webs between 0% and 30%, the frequency elevation ranged from 3% to 151% of the pre-web fundamental frequency (fo) in SS group and from 13% to 222% in DS group. No significance was found between two groups at three different sutures (p = .486 for suture at 10% of vocal fold length, 0.686 for 20%, 0.886 for 30%, respectively).

Conclusions and significance

The frequency in excised canine larynx increased continuously as the anterior glottic webs ranged from 0% to 30%. The inclusion of the vocal fold lamina propia does not affect the frequency elevation.

Chinese Abstract

背景：前声门成形术是一种常用的声音女性化治疗方法。但是, 手术是否包括韧带缝合仍存在争议。

目的：探讨包含声带固有层的后果。

材料和方法：对 8 个切除的犬喉, 将缝合线分别置于声带长度的 10%、20% 和 30%处, 以形成前网。根据缝合深度分为两个组：上皮层（浅缝合, SS 组）和声带固有层的深层（深缝合, DS 组）。

结果：对于介于 0% 和 30% 之间的前网, 频率升高范围在SS 组为网前基频 (fo) 的3% 到 151%, 在 DS 组为网前基频 (fo)的 13% 到 222%。在三个不同的缝合线处, 两组之间没有发现显著性差异（对于 10% 声带长度的缝合线, p =0.486；20%, p =0.686；30%, p =0.886）。

结论与意义：前声门网从 0% 到 30% 的范围之间, 切除犬喉的频率持续增加。手术包括声带固有层不会影响频率提升。

Keywords:

• Anterior glottoplasty
• voice feminization
• excised larynx
• frequency elevation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Number: 81870710].