Wide opening method for vocal fold retention cyst.

BACKGROUND Vocal fold cyst is a common cause of dysphonia. In our reported series, most cases were retention cysts. Enucleation of the cyst under microlaryngoscopy is usually considered to be an ideal treatment despite the fact that cyst rupture is frequently encountered with this procedure. In this report, we present a wide opening method for vocal fold retention cyst. METHODS Twenty consecutive patients with vocal fold retention cysts larger than 2 mm in diameter were operated upon using the wide opening method (marsupialization). The medial cyst wall was excised along with the overlying mucosa, while the lateral cyst wall was preserved on the vocal fold. The cyst was widely opened following this procedure. RESULTS Perceptual voice improvement was noted postoperatively. Videostroboscopy and acoustic analysis were also applied to confirm the perceptual results. CONCLUSIONS The wide opening method has the advantages of simplicity, minimal tissue injury, rapid functional recovery and low recurrence. This technique can be considered another standard treatment of choice for medium- or large-sized vocal fold retention cysts.