How many days before you can speak with vocal cord polyps?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 02, 2025
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Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms located on the vocal cords, primarily presenting clinically as hoarseness. The formation of vocal cord polyps involves various factors, among which the most significant is the misuse of the voice. Clinically, the main treatment for vocal cord polyps is surgical removal. After the surgery for vocal cord polyps, it is important to speak less and speak normally. In fact, after the surgery for vocal cord polyps, one can speak upon waking up, but should not misuse the voice. It is crucial to speak less and avoid using a falsetto voice, as speaking in falsetto can further damage the vocal cords. Therefore, the rule to follow is to speak normally and speak less.

Other Voices

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Are white vocal cord polyps cancerous?

Vocal cord polyps are mainly caused by overuse of the voice by patients, or by edema of the mucous membrane due to smoking, alcohol, and physical or chemical irritations, which gradually form vocal cord polyps. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, if whitening of the vocal cord mucosa or symptoms such as folds or erosion are found, it may indicate an early stage lesion of a tumor, or that a tumor has developed, which is often seen in cases of leukoplakia or squamous carcinoma of the vocal cords. If such conditions are discovered, it is important for the patient to take them seriously and promptly visit a hospital for a pathological biopsy to determine if there has been a pathological change in the vocal cords. If a pathological change is confirmed, it is necessary to promptly remove the pathological tissue through carbon dioxide laser surgery or support laryngoscopy surgery to achieve timely treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 13sec home-news-image

What to eat after vocal cord polyp surgery

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms located on the vocal cords, typically affecting one side. Clinically, the removal of vocal cord polyps is usually done under a microscope-supported laryngoscopy. Post-operative dietary guidelines include: 1. Eating can generally resume six hours after anesthesia has fully worn off, with a requirement for a bland diet. Consuming spicy and stimulating foods, such as tobacco, alcohol, and chili peppers, must be avoided. 2. Since hospital stays for vocal cord polyp surgery are relatively short, after discharge, one can use proprietary Chinese medicines that clear the throat and benefit the voice, or use corticosteroid medications concurrently. These medications can help prevent the recurrence of vocal cord polyps and reduce post-operative congestion and swelling of the vocal cord mucosa. 3. After surgery, a normal diet can be resumed, so long as it remains bland. However, care should be taken sometimes to avoid foods like fish, shrimp, and other seafood, which can cause allergies, as well as certain fruits like mangoes. It is advisable to minimize consumption of allergy-prone foods.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be cured by taking Jinsang Sanjie Pills?

Patients with vocal cord polyps may find that medications such as Sanjie pills, which promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, have a certain therapeutic effect. The occurrence of vocal cord polyps is associated with factors such as long-term excessive use of the voice and exposure to cold, leading to polyp proliferation, and patients will experience a noticeable hoarseness in their voice. In the early stages of vocal cord polyps, medication can be used for treatment, and some patients may be cured. However, if the polyps have been proliferating for a long time, medication usually becomes ineffective, and surgical treatment is required. A common surgical method is the excision of vocal cord polyps under laryngoscopic support. After surgery, patients should be careful to rest their voice, avoid excessive voice use, and also avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Do vocal cord polyps require hospitalization?

Vocal cord polyps are a common condition treated in otolaryngology, mainly caused by excessive voice use, inflammatory irritation, and physical and chemical factors. These factors lead to the formation of granuloma-like neoplasms at the junction of the anterior and middle third of the vocal cords. These growths have a broad base or may be pedunculated, and the mucosa is smooth. When the vocal cords attempt to close during phonation, closure is poor, causing symptoms such as effortful speech and easy vocal fatigue. Diagnosis can be confirmed through indirect laryngoscopy or videolaryngoscopy. If diagnosed with vocal cord polyps, outpatient surgery may be an option if the patient cooperates well with topical anesthesia and if the clinician's technique is highly adept. Otherwise, inpatient surgery under general anesthesia may be necessary, as outpatient treatments do not allow for reimbursement or the execution of necessary anesthesia. Therefore, vocal cord polyps generally require inpatient treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be treated without surgery?

Vocal cord polyps are an occupying lesion in the throat area, taking the form of relatively larger polypoid formations. Vocal cord polyps typically require surgical removal, mainly performed under a microscope-supported laryngoscope. In the early stages of vocal cord polyps or when the polyps are small, some doctors may use medications, such as corticosteroid hormones or certain traditional Chinese medicines that clear the voice and benefit the throat. However, as vocal cord polyps tend to grow larger, reaching the extent of polyp development, it is difficult to treat them with medications alone and eliminate them pharmacologically. Thus, the prevailing recommendation for vocal cord polyps is surgical removal.