Type I gore-tex laryngoplasty for glottic incompetence in mobile vocal folds

Summary Objective To determine the effectiveness of gore-tex medialization thyroplasty for the management of glottic incompetence (GI) in patients with mobile vocal folds. Methods Twenty patients with glottic incompetence (GI) and mobile vocal folds were retrospectively analyzed after gore-tex medialization laryngoplasty. Pre- and postoperative outcome measures including grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain of the voice (GRBAS), glottal function index (GFI), and voice-related quality of life (VRQOL) were compared to detect surgical effectiveness. Two anesthetic subgroups were identified and compared: general anesthesia, via laryngeal mask airway (LMA) anesthetic, and local anesthesia. Results Statistically significant differences were identified between pre- and postoperative VRQOL ( P P P ρ  = 0.71). Perceptual voice quality (GRBAS) correlates slightly better with VRQOL scores ( ρ  = −0.6; P ρ  = 0.43). Conclusion Gore-tex thyroplasty provides reliable medium-term improvement in both perceptual and subjective voice parameters in the setting of GI with mobile vocal folds.