Do vocal cord polyps cause a sore throat?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 28, 2024
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Patients with vocal cord polyps usually do not experience throat pain. The pathological basis for the occurrence of vocal cord polyps is edema and hyperplasia in the mucosal layer and Reinke's layer of the vocal cords, with hoarseness being the main symptom. The causes generally involve improper or excessive use of the voice, as well as harmful stimuli such as smoking and drinking, which lead to the proliferation of vocal cord polyps. The main treatments for vocal cord polyps currently include oral medications to clear the throat and benefit the voice, and surgical treatment. Surgical treatment primarily involves the endoscopic removal of the vocal cord polyps with support, and the patient must remain silent for three to four weeks post-surgery to allow the mucosal epithelium to recover, thereby improving the symptoms of hoarseness. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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The causes of recurrent vocal cord polyps

The recurrence of vocal cord polyps is primarily due to patients not taking care to protect their voice usage, improper voice use, and failing to quit bad habits such as smoking and drinking. The main cause of vocal cord polyps is edema in the Reinke's layer of the vocal cord mucosa, which leads to the proliferation of the surface mucosa. The main symptom in patients is a hoarse voice. After undergoing support laryngoscopy and surgical removal of the vocal cord polyps, patients are required to refrain from speaking for three to four weeks to allow the vocal cord mucosa to recover and heal. If patients do not take care of their voice during this period, there is a possibility of recurrence of the vocal cord polyps.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How long does it take to wake up from general anesthesia for vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps are common and frequently occurring clinical benign tumors located on the vocal cords. Clinically, the main treatment is the removal of the vocal cord polyps under a microscope-assisted laryngoscope, performed under general anesthesia. Currently, our control technique for general anesthesia is very refined, and the surgery for vocal cord polyps generally takes about 15 minutes. After these 15 minutes, our patients gradually regain consciousness. Therefore, patients undergoing general anesthesia for vocal cord polyp surgery can progressively wake up after the surgery is complete. This is achievable due to our current precise control techniques in anesthesia and medication management, allowing patients to awaken promptly after the surgery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can people with vocal cord polyps eat spicy food?

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. It is advised to avoid spicy foods in the diet. This type of food tends to irritate the vocal cords significantly, potentially causing congestion and edema in the vocal cords, and aggravating the condition of the vocal cord polyps. Moreover, it may also lead to further worsening of hoarseness. Some patients may even develop acute pharyngitis, which can cause throat pain, breathing difficulties, and possibly even fever. After the onset of vocal cord polyps, it is necessary for patients to visit an otolaryngology department, undergo a laryngoscopy to assess the condition, and consider medical conservative treatment or surgical removal depending on the case.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Is it necessary to have surgery for vocal cord polyps?

After diagnosing vocal cord polyps, it is necessary to decide whether surgery is needed based on the size of the polyps and the effectiveness of conservative treatment. If the polyps appear large under laryngoscopy and have a broad base, and conservative treatment is judged to be ineffective, it is recommended to opt for surgical treatment as soon as possible. If the polyps are small, and the doctor assesses that there is a possibility of recovery through conservative treatment and voice rest, then conservative treatment can be initially adopted for a period of time. If after conservative treatment the vocal cord polyps have not completely disappeared, or even worsened, it is also advisable to pursue aggressive surgical treatment. Therefore, whether surgery is necessary for vocal cord polyps needs to be determined by the doctor based on the results of laryngoscopy and conservative treatment.

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

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common type of ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease. Some cases require surgical treatment, while others can be managed conservatively. If the vocal cord polyp is small and the clinical symptoms are not particularly obvious, conservative treatment with medication is generally recommended. Common treatments include oral medication and nebulizer therapy; if conditions permit, voice training can also be considered. Additionally, it is necessary to have regular check-ups to monitor changes in the vocal cord polyp. If the polyp is large and does not respond well to conservative medical treatment, surgical treatment might be considered, but regular post-operative check-ups are also necessary. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)