How to effectively treat vocal cord polyps?

Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Updated on October 24, 2024
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Vocal cord polyps are neoplasms that occur in the anterior middle third of the vocal cords due to excessive voice use. The mucous membrane of the polyp is relatively smooth, and the base may be broad or pedunculated. During phonation, the shape of the glottis changes, thus patients with vocal cord polyps experience a hoarse voice and find speaking strenuous. If treatment with medications aimed at clearing blockages and dispersing accumulations is ineffective, surgery is generally considered. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with direct vision through a supported laryngoscope. Postoperatively, patients should avoid speaking and overusing their voice to reduce the risk of recurrence, and consume more foods that are cooling and reduce heat. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps are benign tumors located on the vocal cords, primarily caused by improper use of the voice or by inflammatory infections. When vocal cord polyps are suspected, it is essential to visit a hospital for an examination, primarily using a laryngoscope to assess the size of the polyps and check for any other vocal cord lesions. Once diagnosed, surgical intervention is often evaluated. Suitable cases are admitted to the hospital for surgery under a surgical microscope to remove the polyps. Generally, patients can be discharged three to five days after the surgery. The surgery involves microscopic techniques, so the trauma is minimal.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is vocal cord polyp surgery under general anesthesia painful?

Vocal cord polyps are benign space-occupying lesions located on the vocal cords, generally occurring unilaterally. Currently, treatment involves surgical removal under general anesthesia, utilizing a microscope and a supportive laryngoscope, or it can be performed using an endoscope; all these procedures require general anesthesia. After the general anesthesia, patients generally do not respond to pain, so the surgery is essentially painless, thus there is no need for excessive worry. After surgery, the vast majority of patients experience no pain. A minority of patients may have mild pain due to mucosal abrasions in the pharyngeal area, but most patients do not suffer pain.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be treated without surgery?

Some patients with vocal cord polyps may not require surgery, as the treatment of vocal cord polyps is mainly divided into two categories. The first category is conservative treatment, and the second category is surgical treatment. Surgical intervention might be considered if the polyp is particularly large and symptoms are prominent, such as hoarseness or breathing difficulties. However, if the hoarseness is not very pronounced and the polyp is relatively small or the clinical symptoms are not very typical, it is possible that the condition could be alleviated through medication. Common treatments include oral medication and nebulization, accompanied by voice training. With conservative treatment, many patients can achieve effective control, and some may even experience a gradual reduction in the polyp size. Regular follow-up examinations are advised to avoid excessive use of the voice.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Will vocal cord polyps recur after they are removed?

Vocal cord polyps are polyp-like benign neoplasms that occur on the free edge of the vocal cords. Vocal cord polyps generally require surgical treatment, as medication typically cannot eliminate the polyps. Post-surgery, there is a certain recurrence rate for vocal cord polyps. The recurrence of vocal cord polyps is often related to factors such as excessive voice use, gastroesophageal reflux, or frequent upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, after surgery for vocal cord polyps, it is important to avoid these factors to prevent recurrence of the polyps.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of recurrent vocal cord polyps

Vocal cord polyps are a common and frequently occurring illness, primarily characterized by symptoms such as hoarseness and throat discomfort. After surgical removal of vocal cord polyps through suspension laryngoscopy, the patient's voice may still be hoarse in the short term. This hoarseness is mainly due to postoperative mucosal edema, and the general recovery period requires three to four weeks. Patients need to rest their voice and reduce vocal usage. Dietary precautions include avoiding spicy and irritating foods and reducing the incidence of colds and coughs. If a patient experiences a recurrence of vocal cord polyps, the main symptom is hoarseness. This can be confirmed through an examination with an electronic laryngoscope to determine whether the vocal cord polyps have recurred. There is still a certain probability of recurrence, which mainly depends on how the patient protects their voice in daily life.