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We appreciate and encourage feedback. If you need advice or
are concerned about any aspect of care or treatment please
speak to a member of staff or contact the Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS):
Microlaryngoscopy,
glottoplasty, removal of polyp,
cyst or other swelling
ENT department
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Letter: NUH NHS Trust, c/o PALS, Freepost NEA 14614,
Nottingham NG7 1BR
www.nuh.nhs.uk
This document can be provided in different languages
and formats. For more information please contact:
Ear, Nose and Throat out-patient department,
ENT Building, QMC campus,
A Floor, East block,
Tel: 0115 924 9924 ext. 61111/61112
Angela Gent, ENT department © April 2011. All rights reserved. Nottingham
University Hospitals NHS Trust. Review April 2013. Ref: 0244/v4/0411/CR.
Why have vocal cord surgery?
Most people who require surgery on their vocal cords will have
noticed some change in their voice, such as hoarseness or
weakness. This can often be associated with other symptoms in the
throat such as dryness, a tickly cough or a sensation of something
stuck in the throat.
When you attended the outpatient department, the doctor would
have looked at your vocal cords, seen a lump or other swelling and
recommended its removal to try and improve the quality of your
voice.
What happens?
Under a general anaesthetic the doctors will pass a telescope
through your mouth into your throat to examine your voice box. A
small cut will be made on your vocal cord and the lump or swelling
removed. You may be able to go home the same day, but
occasionally you will need to stay in hospital for at least one night.
This will gradually improve over a period of weeks and months. This
can be a problem if you work or have to talk in noisy or dusty
environments. You will find that smoking and alcohol may irritate
your throat during the initial recovery period.
Often during the weeks following your surgery you will be advised to
see a speech and language therapist, who will give you some voice
therapy. This is an important part of the treatment to speed up the
return of your voice and also to stop you developing new problems
with your vocal cords.
When you are discharged from hospital an outpatient appointment
will be arranged for you to review your progress and give you the
results of any laboratory tests on the tissue removed from your vocal
cords. This will either be given to you before you leave the ward or
occasionally sent through the post.
Does it hurt?
You will need to take one to two weeks off work, school or college. If
you need a certificate please ask the medical staff when you are
discharged.
Operations on the vocal cords are generally not painful, but you may
feel an uncomfortable sensation in your throat and it may feel quite
dry for a few days after the surgery. Any discomfort is usually
controlled by taking the tablets you would normally take for a
headache (e.g. Paracetamol), but often none are required.
After the operation
Any problems?
You will usually be asked to rest your voice for two or three days to
allow the vocal cords to heal. This means that you should not talk at
all, except in an emergency. Shouting is particularly bad for your
healing vocal cords and whispering can also be harmful. During this
time your throat may feel a little sore and dry and it is important that
you drink plenty of water and other fluids. After a few days you can
speak, but only when you have to. Your voice may be better straight
away, but for many people it is quite hoarse at first and may take
several weeks and occasionally months to improve.
Immediately after surgery your voice may sound different or hoarse
and it may be quite difficult for you to speak. This is normal and your
voice should improve within a few days or weeks.
When your voice begins to return to normal, you will often find that if
you talk for prolonged periods your voice will tire and sometimes
lack strength.
Occasionally, full recovery takes up to nine months. Very rarely
indeed, you may experience some difficulty breathing and a feeling
of restriction in your throat after surgery. This rare event would
normally happen within a few hours of surgery and it is unlikely to
bother you when you go home. If you are concerned about the way
you are recovering, or you suddenly develop any problems
breathing, worsening pain in the throat or a temperature, please
contact the hospital or your general practitioner immediately.