OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of vocal fold autologous fascia transplantation for treating sulcus vocalis.

METHODSSulcus vocalis among 23 cases were dissected and vocal fold autologous fascia transplantation performed. For type III sulcus associated with thyroarytenoid muscle atrophy, autologous fat injection was carried out also. The voice acoustic quality and video laryngostroboscopic data were evaluated before and after surgery.

RESULTSAmong 23 patients, 4 were excluded from the analysis because of failure of surgery or lost to follow-up, leaving a total of 19 patients who were included in the analysis. Until 6-8 weeks after surgery, patients could start to phonate. Vocal quality became better 3 months postoperatively. Vocal quality became steady 6 months after the surgery. Vocal improvement was obtained in 89. 5% (17/19) of the patients. The shapes, glottal closures and mucosal waves of vocal folds were improved. There was a significant decrease (improvement) in scales of grading, roughness, breathiness, and asthenic after surgery (P < 0.05). For the grade parameter, it improved 2 scales in 2 patients (10.5%) and 1 scale in 15 patients (79.0%). Acoustic analysis and maximum phonation time (MPT) were significantly improved after surgery (P < 0.01). Acoustic parameters of 42.0% (8/19) patients returned to normal range. MPT of 17 patients (89.5%) was in normal scopes. With 6 to 24 months follow-up, vocal function was steadily. There was no apparent reabsorption.

CONCLUSIONSAutologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold was a useful and safe procedure for pathological sulcus vocalis.