UNCORRECTED
PROOF
the same voice samples that were used in the perceptual-
auditory assessment. The following parameters were
considered: fundamental frequency (f
0
); frequency and extent
perturbation measures, such as jitter (%), pitch perturbation
quotient (PPQ), shimmer (%), and amplitude perturbation quo-
tient (APQ); and noise rates, measured as the noise-to-harmonic
ratio (NHR) and the voice turbulence index (VTI).
We calculated the mathematical proportion between the
midsagital dimension of the synechia of the anterior commis-
sure and the measurement of the free border of the intermembra-
nous region of each vocal fold—the preserved one (preserved
vocal fold [PVF]/S) and that reconstructed (reconstructed vocal
fold [RVF]/S) with the bipedicle sternohyoid muscle flap. The
measurements were feasible in all patients.
Q8
The distance
between the laryngoscope lens and the analyzed structures did
not affect the measurement, because we established a relation-
ship between the structure’s length in a captured bidimensional
image, computed calculated. Direct calculations of the glottic
configuration during the comfortable respiratory period were
performed from digitized images obtained during the laryngo-
scopic evaluation (Fig. 1).
RESULTS
Table 1 shows the relative measures of the vibratory free border
of the PVF and the RVF and the anterior commissure synechia
correlated with the acoustic data of all patients. The distribution
of the acoustic variable parameters according to the grades in 15
patients is presented in Table 2. The acoustic evaluation showed
an important increase in the fundamental frequency, and the
values of all parameters were changed.
The findings regarding the relative measurement of the
vibratory free border of the PVF and the RVF and the anterior
commissure synechia and their relationship with the acoustic
measures are presented in Table 3. The patients were stratified
into two groups according to the median values for the PVF/S
relationship (2.4) to establish two
Q9
larger amounts of patients.
Nevertheless, no relationship with statistical difference was
found in the comparison between the measurements and the
acoustic findings according to the Mann-Whitney U test.
DISCUSSION
The frontolateral laryngectomy is an efficient treatment modal-
ity for selected cases of early glottic carcinoma with high cure
rates. Preservation of laryngeal function, maintenance of a nor-
mal respiratory tract, shortening of the period of healing, and
the avoidance of permanent tracheotomy should be considered
as well.
6
It is believed that the reconstruction of the glottic region after
the vertical partial laryngectomy can improve the glottic and
supraglottic functions. In a study with 13 patients, who had
been treated with vertical partial laryngectomy without the
glottic reconstruction, there were significant differences in the
fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic
ratio, maximal phonation time, and mean flow rate between
the
Q10
VPL group and normal control group. Incomplete glottic
closure, decreased and irregular mucosal wave and amplitude,
supraglottic voicing, abnormal arytenoid movement, and ante-
rior commissure blunting were observed under the videostrobo-
scopy. The voice quality was somewhat unsatisfactory.
7
Numerous reports describe reconstruction techniques. The
advantages of the rehabilitation in a single-staged operation
associated with partial laryngectomy were emphasized.
8
Substitution for the missing vocal fold provides an additional
bulk for the normal fold to meet. An implant of either type gives
a better result than no implant. The bipedicle sternohyoid
muscle provides to the glottis the skill of acceptable phonatory
and sphincteric function and higher degree of ‘‘neocord’’ or
‘‘pseudocord’’ development.
9
The voice quality is proportional
to the integrity of the vocal folds after the conservative laryn-
gectomy.
10
Perceptual and acoustic data were poorer in patients
who underwent more extensive glottic resections. Thus, the
vocal function can be affected by the extent of resection for
glottic carcinomas.
11
It has been shown in videokymography that, after the fronto-
lateral laryngectomy, the main vibration source is the glottis.
Some patients have the vibration source in the supraglottic
edge, whereas some others have both glottis and supraglottis
as vibration source. In those cases, the vibration was achieved
through the preserved vocal fold and the vestibular fold of the
other side.
12
Thus, we employed the mathematical proportion
between the midsagital dimension of the synechia of the ante-
rior commissure and the measurement of the free border of
the intermembranous region of the preserved fold (PVF/S) in
our statistical analysis.
In our study, the jitter and shimmer averages were retrospec-
tively 4.42 and 12.08, respectively. These data reinforce the
importance of performing the reconstruction. The shimmer
amendment usually has a relationship with the reduction of
glottic resistance.
4
The increase in jitter and shimmer reflects
an increased aperiodicity of the glottic cycle and variability
of the amplitude of the sound wave. As a noise measure, the
NHR shows direct relationship with the vocal quality and
analyzes the components of aperiodical sound signs.
print & web 4C=FPO
FIGURE 1. Model of the computed analysis of the relative relation-
ship between the anterior commissure synechia (A) and the vibratory
free border of the reconstructed (B) and preserved (C) vocal folds.
FLA 5.0 DTD YMVJ581_proof 18 November 2008 10:58 pm ce
Journal of Voice, Vol. -, No. -, 20082
ARTICLE IN PRESS
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204