How long does it take for vocal cord polyps to go away with medication?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 11, 2025
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Vocal cord polyps do not respond to medical treatment. The majority of vocal cord polyps are caused by improper or excessive use of the voice, such as prolonged speaking, overexertion, and shouting, leading to vocal cord lesions. The disease typically affects one vocal cord, causing the patient to have persistent and progressively worsening hoarseness.

During an examination with a laryngoscope, a smooth, pale white or pale red neoplasm with a thin stalk can be seen at the anterior-middle third of one vocal cord. The vocal cord moves well but does not close completely.

In terms of treatment, medication is ineffective for vocal cord nodules and polyps. The patient needs to undergo a vocal cord polypectomy under a support laryngoscopy. This surgery requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, and postoperative use of antibiotics to prevent local infection. Recovery and discharge can typically occur about a week post-operation. After recovery, patients are advised to speak softly and minimally, and avoid exhaustion to prevent recurrence.

(The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Do vocal cord polyps hurt?

Vocal cord polyps are a very common condition in otolaryngology. They generally do not cause pain because they are a disease caused by talking excessively or improper pronunciation over the long term, rather than an acute inflammation. Therefore, pain from vocal cord polyps is rare. The main symptom is hoarseness. Vocal cord polyps are caused by excessive talking, which over time leads to thickening of the mucous membrane on the surface of the vocal cords and even hyperplasia, forming minor lesions. This can cause incomplete closure of the glottis, resulting in hoarseness, difficulty reaching high notes, and other related symptoms. It is very rare for vocal cord polyps to cause pain, and this is not a main symptom.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is it normal for vocal cord polyps to hurt?

Vocal cord polyps themselves do not cause significant pain. If pain occurs, it is necessary to consider the presence of pharyngitis or other issues causing throat pain. The main symptom of vocal cord polyps is hoarseness, which may be accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the throat, especially after excessive voice use or consuming spicy and irritating foods. These symptoms of hoarseness and throat foreign body sensation may further intensify. However, polyps alone do not cause pain. Therefore, if there is pain, it is necessary to investigate whether there are other pathological conditions. It is recommended to undergo a laryngoscopy for a more accurate diagnosis. If the polyps are relatively large, surgery may be considered for removal.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Vocal cord polyp general anesthesia surgery process

Vocal cord polyp surgery under general anesthesia currently involves the use of a combined inhalation and general anesthesia approach, employing a supporting laryngoscope for the excision of the vocal cord polyp. Before the surgery begins, general anesthesia is administered. After the patient is under general anesthesia, the doctor uses a supporting laryngoscope to fully expose the vocal cord polyp. Next, through a fibroscope, in conjunction with fiberoptic instruments or a carbon dioxide laser, the vocal cord polyp is completely excised. The source of the vocal cord injury is repaired to make the vocal cord surface smooth, and then the surgery is concluded. After the surgery, the anesthetist waits for the patient to wake up from the general anesthesia before they can be taken back to their room. The overall duration of the procedure, from anesthesia to surgery to awakening, is typically about an hour or so. Of course, treatment needs to be tailored to the specific patient. In some patients, the vocal cord polyps may not be easily exposed under the supporting laryngoscope, which might extend the duration slightly, whereas in others, where the exposure is straightforward, the procedure may be relatively shorter.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Why does vocal cord polyp surgery require general anesthesia?

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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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.