Perspectives In Medical Research (Aug 2018)
Voice analysis following turbinectomy in patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinate secondary to allergic and vasomotor rhinitis refractory to conservative treatment
Abstract
Introduction: Alterations in the configuration of the nasal cavity made surgicallyvia procedures such as turbinectomy have been assumed to cause changes in the perceived nasal resonance of the patients post surgery which tends to manifest changes in the overall voice perception. These changes though perceivable are reported to be transient in nature and eventually fall in place as the post surgical duration increases. The purpose of this study was to probe the changes in nasal resonance that affect perceived voice quality following turbinectomy in patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinates secondary to allergic and vasomotor rhinitis, by checking serially obtained nasalance scores. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to assess the pre and postoperative nasal resonance and thereby voice quality in patients with hypertrophied inferior turbinates following turbinectomy. Materials & Methods: The patients who underwent Turbinectomy, at FMMCH, Mangalore from March 2015 to October 2016 were included in the study. The diagnosis was made based on patient history, clinical examination and nasal endoscopy. The Nasalance was assessed using the Nasometer module of VAGHMI, voice and speech system, Bangalore.The nasalance scores were recorded before surgery and at intervals of 1st , 3rd and 5th month post surgery. Results: A total of 90 patients were enrolled, out of these 60 patients successfully completed follow up visits on a regular basis. The mean nasalance scores for nasal sounds [m] [ma] and [mi] showed significance before surgery and at the 1st and 3rd month post-surgery. Consequently, nasalance values returned within normal range at the 3rd month post operatively. While the mean nasalance scores for non nasal sounds [a] [i] and [u] returned to normal range at the 5th month post operatively. Conclusion: The presence of a hypertrophied inferior turbinate and the excision of the same can alter the overall perceived nasal resonance of an individual. Though transient, these changes cause significant change in the nasalence scores. A significant amount of hyponasality is perceived and recorded in the pre operative nasalence scores while hypernasality is perceived and recorded for a period of 3 months post surgery which eventually diminishes and normalizes by the 5th month post surgery. Therefore, surgeons can conveniently reassure patients of the transient nature of the pre and post voice and nasal alterations associated in these conditions. This information will be highly beneficial to patients who are professional voice users
