Here is a list of disruptions answered by the throat disease unit:
• Vocal cords edema
• Granuloma
• Injecting synthetic fillings
• Vocal cords adhesion
• Throat and trachea striction, endoscopic or open surgeries
• Vocal cords warts
• Vocal cords warts in children
• Vocal cords cancer
• Vocal cords polyp
• Papilloma
• Vocal cords cyst
• Vocal cords scar
• Bilateral paralysis of the vocal cords
• Unilateral paralysis of the vocal cords
Sigalit’s Medical Miracle: A First Reconstruction of the Vocal Cords
Papilloma
A papilloma is a benign tumor of the vocal cords, as a result of the papilloma virus. The lesions’ appearance can be in various areas and it often requires follow up and repetitive surgeries.
The common symptoms will be hoarseness getting worse. Mostly there will be an examination of the ENT doctor and common blood works – and then the patient will be referred to surgery.
During surgery – which is done under general anesthesia – we look at the vocal cords directly, under a microscope. There are a few methods to remove the lesions – laser, scissors or debrider. The objective of the surgery is to remove any accessible papilloma tissue – if it is possible, but sometimes there is a need to perform gradual repetitive actions in order to prevent a harm to your voice.
The surgery lasts between one and two horus, and mostly you can go home on the same day, or after 24 hours of observation (dependent on the length of the surgery and the time of day it is conducted).
Guidelines after the surgery
Staying silent for one week. Less talking for another week. Avoiding sour / spicy / spiced food for a month. Avoiding sparkling drinks and alcohol for a month. Speech therapy to maintain the results of the surgery.
Common Benign Tumors in the Vocal Cords: Wart, Cyst, Polyp
Polyp
A benign lesion that mostly appears on one cord. The polyp can be created after a trauma (yelling, coughing), bleeding or continuous traction of the cord. Interrupts the closing of the cords and creates hoarseness and a coarse voice, and a difficulty to generate a high pitch voice.
Hoarseness appears suddenly, with ups and downs, sometimes after extreme use of your voice or a disease. The voice will be unstable and different from the usual.
Cyst
The cyst is a closed pouch full of fluid that exists in the cord. It may interrupt the movement of the vocal cords and their closure.
Mostly, the hoarseness will last for long (sometimes since childhood) and it can get worse with over using your voice. The voice will be coarse and unstable.
Warts
A wart is a benign finding that is mostly generated on the two cords, after a long and straining use of the vocal cords. The wart prevents the closure of the cords and generates a coarse, low voice. The hoarseness will improve in periods of rest.
Warts will often appear with people who use their voice a lot, such as teachers, etc.
Sometimes the warts can be treated conservatively, with speech therapy.
Before surgery, the patients will be examined in stroboscopy of the vocal cords, routine blood works, and be prepared for the surgery.
Surgery risks; slight pain, numbness of tongue, danger for teeth stability (there is use of a silicone shield, but the risk increases if there are loose or diseased teeth), rarely, there can be a vocal worsening after the surgery. If there is use of laser, there is low risk for burns around the vocal cords and the trachea.
Surgery: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, while observing the vocal cords using a laryngoscope. During the surgery, we use a microscope that allows for a close and 3D observation of the area. During the surgery, we extract the lesion, using microsurgical devices, and laser, if necessary. Since this is mostly phonosurgery – a surgery to improve the vocal quality – the surgery is conducted conservatively and very carefully (unlike oncological cases in which the objective of the surgery is to take the tumor out in full).
Surgery lasts about one-two hours. After that, the patients stay for recovery, for a few hours, up to 24 hours (dependent on the time and length of the surgery) and are discharged to their homes.
Guidelines after the surgery
Staying silent for one week. Less talking for another week. Avoiding sour / spicy / spiced food for a month. Avoiding sparkling drinks and alcohol for a month. Speech therapy to maintain the results of the surgery.
Tests conducted within the unit:
Test with flexible optic fiber
DISE test to diagnose the reason for snoring and sleep apnea
Esophageal tests
Firm stroboscopy
Trachea test
Vocal cord biopsy
Injecting Botox under local anesthesia
Making the voice younger
Laser under local anesthesia
Laser surgeries
Service for swallowing disruptions:
Service supervisor: Dr. Yael Shapira Glitz
The service is provided as a part of the throat and vocal cords disease unit. Read more about the clinic.
