Voice quality assessment in cases of vocal fold gaps after single growth factor injection

Povzetek

In severe vocal fold (VF) lesions, deposits of disorganized, thick collagen bundles and little hyaluronic acid (HA) are deposited in the superficial layer of lamina propria (SLP). These changes lead to severe dysphonia and aspiration, which could be complicated by fatal pneumonia. Unfortunately, no specific treatment has been recognized due to unpredictable VF regeneration. Current progress in regenerative medicine has allowed the development of tissue engineering techniques using cells, scaffolds, and growth factors (GFs). Extrinsic GFs application could help in the induction of the regenerative process. The work aims to assess the voice quality after a single GF injection of the VF in cases of VF gaps through pre- and post-injection voice analysis measures. Material and methods: Twenty patients of both genders aged 20 to 60 years were selected as candidates for GF injection using “fiberoptic laryngoscopy” under local or general anaesthesia. They were subjected to pre- and post-injection (after 3 and 6 months) assessments using objective voice analysis, “computerized speech lab” (CSL), and subjective voice analysis by “auditory perceptual analysis” (APA). Conclusion: A single GF injection in the VFs in cases of VF gaps revealed improvement in voice quality after 3 months post-injection by APA and CSL.