Laser Reduction Glottoplasty for Voice Feminization: Experience on 28 Patients.


Yılmaz T., Özer F., Aydınlı F.

The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology, vol.130, no.9, pp.1057-1063, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 130 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0003489421993728
  • Journal Name: The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MEDLINE, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.1057-1063
  • Keywords: laryngoscopy, transsexualism, voice, feminization, transgender persons, vocal cords, PITCH-RAISING SURGERY, LARYNGOPLASTY, ADJUSTMENT
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objectives: Laser reduction glottoplasty is a relatively new surgical procedure for voice feminization on transgender women. This study aims to determine long-term voice results of glottoplasty on transwomen. Methods: Nonrandomized, retrospective, cohort. Tertiary referral center. Endoscopic laser reduction glottoplasty was performed on 28 transwomen. Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQ), acoustic analysis with /a/ for F-0, jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio and acoustic analysis for speaking F-0 were measured before and after surgery. Patients self-evaluated their postoperative voices and medical students and 2 voice experts scored patients' pre- and postsurgery voice samples as masculine, feminine or neither. Results: Mean total VHI and TVQ scores improved significantly postoperatively (P < .001). Pre- and postsurgery mean F-0 were 132 and 198 Hz and mean speaking F-0 were 123 and 194 Hz, respectively; these variations were found statistically significant (P < .001). Postoperative mean jitter, shimmer and NHR increased significantly compared to preoperative values (P < .05). Nine patients (32%) were not happy with their postsurgery voice result and were offered anterior glottic web formation as secondary procedure. MFT women's self-ratings of their postsurgery voices showed 3 masculine, 19 feminine and 6 neither outcomes, leading to patient gratification score of 68%. Medical students evaluated 79% of postsurgery voice specimens as feminine. Voice experts evaluated 75% of postsurgery voice specimens as feminine. Conclusions: Laser reduction glottoplasty is an accomplished and satisfying operation for feminizing voice of transwomen. Its voice outcome appears to be durable for 5 years. However, secondary operation may be needed to further gratify transwomen.