Effects and Changes on Voice After Rhinoplasty: A Long-Term Report

Abstract

Introduction: Vocal changes after rhinoplasty have been poorly investigated, although this surgical procedure is nowadays one of the most requested. The production of voice largely depends on the anatomy and the size of the pyramid and the nasal cavity. The authors report 51 cases of both closed and open rhinoplasty and propose a 2-year report to analyze potential effective changes on voice. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were enrolled and evaluated from September of 2012 to January of 2018. All patients were studied before and 2 years after surgery. Vocal changes were assessed with an objective and a subjective evaluation. The first one allowed to perform the measurement of the intensity and frequency of vowel sound (“a”) and nasal consonant sounds (“n” and “m”). For the subjective evaluation, our modified version of Voice Handicap Index Score allowed us to evaluate every single characteristic of the personal perception of voice. Results: The objective evaluation showed an increased frequency of production of the consonant sounds in 62% of cases and an increased frequency of production of the vowel sound in 68% of cases. The subjective evaluation allowed us to notice significant changes after surgery ( P = .044). No significant differences were noticed between closed and open approach. Conclusion: Reduction rhinoplasty technique proved to induce several alterations on vocal pattern. The surgeon should always inform patients about the potential effects on the voice, particularly when such changes may produce influences on the working life.

Comparison Between Patient and Plastic Surgeon Aesthetic Analysis in Rhinoplasty Consultation

“…Guarro et al investigated the effects and changes on voice after rhinoplasty on a population of 51 patients who were followed up for 2 years postsurgery. 17 They used subjective and objective assessment: subjective assessment in the form of a questioner, and objective assessment in the form of a spectrographic study through computerized recordings and a software analysis. 17 They found that there is statistically significant difference between subjective and objective assessment regarding voice changes.…”

“… 17 They used subjective and objective assessment: subjective assessment in the form of a questioner, and objective assessment in the form of a spectrographic study through computerized recordings and a software analysis. 17 They found that there is statistically significant difference between subjective and objective assessment regarding voice changes. Subjective assessment sometimes can be misleading, and therefore, objective assessment provides an adjuvant role in adjusting the patients’ expectations regarding the procedure they want to undergo.…”

Utilization of Rhinoplasty Worksheets among Practicing Facial Plastic Surgeons

“…[3][4][5][6] The variability in the procedure and individual anatomy of patients can make the procedure prone to complications and difficulties with revision cases. 6,7 With better understanding of the anatomical characteristics contributing to nasal deformities over the past decades, surgical techniques have improved and adapted to address these specific problems. Rhinoplasty's evolution has been a result of the willingness of surgeons to share and learn together.…”

“…3–6 The variability in the procedure and individual anatomy of patients can make the procedure prone to complications and difficulties with revision cases. 6,7…”