Summary
Background. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature on voice rehabilitation after thyroid surgery, discuss the importance and methods of preoperative and postoperative voice assessment and examine the surgical treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
Material and Methods. A literature review was conducted using the medical databases PubMed and ClinicalKey. Full-text scientific articles in English, whose titles and abstracts matched the research topic, were included. A total of 46 sources were selected for the final analysis.
Results. Before thyroid surgery, it is essential to evaluate the patient’s vocal function, inform them about possible postoperative voice disorders and provide voice hygiene recommendations. Postoperative voice changes may be temporary or permanent and are most commonly caused by injury to the recurrent or superior laryngeal nerves, as well as by trauma during endotracheal intubation. Early assessment of vocal function enables timely detection of damage and initiation of treatment. The main method of postoperative rehabilitation is voice therapy, which helps restore vocal function and prevent atrophy of the paralyzed vocal fold. In cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, surgical treatment options such as injection laryngoplasty and thyroplasty are applied. Early injection laryngoplasty improves vocal outcomes and reduces the need for later surgical intervention, while adjustable implants used during thyroplasty allow precise correction of glottic closure and ensure long-term results.
Conclusions. Adequate preoperative preparation, including voice assessment and patient education, is essential to minimize postoperative complications. Postoperative voice disorders caused by nerve injury or intubation can be managed through voice therapy or surgically – via injection laryngoplasty and thyroplasty.
