Why does vocal cord polyp surgery require general anesthesia?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 15, 2025
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Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common type of ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disorder. For larger polyps where conservative treatment with medication is ineffective, surgical treatment should be considered. Currently, the main surgical procedure is the excision of vocal cord polyps under a supported laryngoscope, which requires general anesthesia. This is because the procedure is difficult for patients to endure without general anesthesia, as the supported laryngoscope is a type of metal tube that needs to be inserted through the mouth into the pharynx. Local anesthesia would be insufficient as patients might struggle to cooperate and tolerate the pain or nausea, hence general anesthesia is necessary for the surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Foods to avoid with vocal cord polyps

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms of the vocal cords, clinically primarily polyps at the anterior end of the vocal cords, mainly manifesting as hoarseness. The treatment mainly involves the removal of the vocal cord polyps under a microscope or endoscope. After surgery, we need to pay attention to certain dietary aspects. First, some spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers and alcohol, should be avoided. Second, it is important to regulate the temperature of foods; overly cold items, such as popsicles, or overly hot items, such as hot pot, should be consumed with caution. The third point is to avoid certain foods that can cause allergies, such as mangoes, especially if the patient has an allergic constitution; these should be avoided or minimized in the diet.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do vocal cord polyps definitely require surgery?

Vocal cord polyps do not necessarily require surgery. This decision mainly depends on the size of the polyp and the symptoms presented. If the polyp is small and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, it may be considered to observe and manage with oral medications and nebulized treatments. It is also important to minimize speaking and avoid overusing the voice. If the polyp is larger, and there are noticeable symptoms such as a hoarse voice, or if it affects normal breathing and swallowing, surgery is generally considered. After surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor recovery. It is crucial to avoid overusing the voice and to regularly have laryngoscopic exams to check for any recurrence.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What should you avoid eating if you have vocal cord polyps?

Patients with vocal cord polyps need a light diet and should avoid spicy and irritating foods. It is necessary for patients to adjust their digestive system function to avoid acid reflux. The cause of vocal cord polyps is generally due to long-term intake of spicy foods, digestive system disorders, gastric acid reflux, and long periods of loud talking, excessive fatigue, and overuse of the voice, which leads to congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the mucous membrane on the surface of the vocal cords. This condition can cause the patient to experience persistent hoarseness, which progressively worsens. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, a smooth, pale white or pale red abnormal neoplasm can be found at the anterior middle third of one vocal cord. It can lead to incomplete closure of the vocal cords, resulting in a hoarse voice. In terms of treatment, vocal cord polyps can be cured with a microlaryngoscopy under the support of a laryngoscope, where the polyp is surgically removed.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps eat eggs?

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common ENT disease with various clinical symptoms, the most common being hoarseness. If the vocal cord polyps are small, conservative treatment can be considered. If the polyps are large and conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal may be necessary. Regarding diet, eggs can be consumed. Eggs do not worsen the condition of vocal cord polyps nor do they affect the treatment outcomes. Overall, it is recommended to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. After treatment, it is also necessary to regularly re-examine the larynx to monitor changes in the condition.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted after vocal cord polyp surgery?

The most important thing to pay attention to after vocal cord polyp surgery is to speak as little as possible, which means vocal rest. Typically, vocal rest should last between two to four weeks. The better you adhere to vocal rest, the better your voice will recover after the surgery. Once recovered, continue to minimize speaking and ensure correct pronunciation to prevent recurrence of vocal cord polyps. Another important consideration is avoiding environments with tobacco smoke; do not smoke and try to stay away from places where others are smoking. Diet should be light, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods. Also, manage your emotions in daily life; do not rush or shout, as this can affect your recovery. Even if you do not yell when anxious, it can still lead to a less than optimal post-operative recovery.