Biography
Biography: Ansari Shayan
Abstract
Introduction: Surgical intervention in patients with Reinke’s oedema can be a contentious issue. There is compelling evidence suggesting it is rare to have pre-malignant / malignant association. Similarly improvement in voice has been reported with specialized techniques in specialist centres. The aim of this study is to determine if improvement of voice in patients with Reinke’s Oedema is an indication for surgery in the routine clinical setting. Methods: Prospective audit of patients with Reinke’s Oedema undergoing trans-oral micro-laryngeal surgery from 2007 to 2014. The procedures were performed by a consultant and registrars under direct supervision, in a single head & neck unit in North Glasgow, using standard cold surgical techniques. Voice outcomes were recorded using Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) pre- and post-operatively. Results: 56 patients underwent trans-oral microsurgery (cold steel) for Reinke’s oedema with an aim ‘to improve voice’. 53(95%) patients were female and all 56(100%) patients were smokers. 51 patients (91%) had a single procedure for Reinke’s Oedema. 33 patients (59%) had complete pre and post op paired data. There was a significant improvement in VoiSS scores (p=0.008). Conclusion: Our practice has shown an improvement in-voice in patients undergoing standard cold surgical techniques in the routine clinical setting. Given the very low incidence of malignancy in this condition we conclude that this is the principle reason for surgical intervention in patients with Reinke’s Oedema.