Will there be a change in voice after vocal cord nodule surgery?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Vocal cord nodules commonly develop symmetrically at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords. After the surgery for this condition, the hoarseness in the voice might initially worsen compared to before the surgery, particularly during the recovery period. After the surgery, it's crucial to rest the voice, meaning speaking less. Voice rest also includes proper phonation, which entails speaking correctly or not at all. It is advised to limit speaking to no more than five sentences per day. Moreover, during recovery, the voice may initially sound more hoarse than before the surgery but it should return to a state similar to that before the surgery once fully recovered. If after the surgery and subsequent recovery, the voice does not vary significantly from its pre-surgery state, this is generally the expected outcome. However, it isn't guaranteed 100%, as variations can occur depending on whether adequate voice rest was taken and whether proper phonation techniques were employed post-surgery.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

Can I smoke with vocal cord nodules?

Patients with vocal cord nodules are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes have a relatively strong irritant effect and directly stimulate the vocal cords. This may exacerbate the condition of vocal cord nodules and may also cause further hoarseness. Moreover, smokers are at a higher risk of developing cancerous changes in the vocal cords. Therefore, patients should not smoke or drink alcohol and should regularly visit an otolaryngologist for a laryngoscopy to monitor the changes in the vocal cord nodules. Most patients can achieve good control and relief of their condition through timely medication treatment and nebulization, with only a small number needing to consider surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
58sec home-news-image

Can you eat fish with vocal cord nodules?

Patients with vocal cord nodules who do not have an allergic constitution can eat fish. Vocal cord nodules are benign growths on the surface of the vocal cords, typically occurring bilaterally and symmetrically, mainly characterized by hoarseness. Their development is primarily associated with improper voice usage or long-term vocal abuse. For vocal cord nodules, patients are advised to talk less and maintain a light diet. Patients with vocal cord nodules can eat fish, but we must prevent some patients from doing so because some of them have an allergic constitution. Fish is a high-protein food, and consuming it may trigger allergic reactions in these patients. The onset of an allergic reaction can also lead to congestion and swelling of the vocal cord mucosa, further worsening the hoarseness and aggravating the condition of the vocal cord nodules. Therefore, it is best for these patients to avoid eating fish.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

Vocal cord nodules are caused by what?

Vocal cord nodules are mainly caused by improper speaking, excessive speaking, emotional excitement, and shouting. The most common symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice. This condition is often seen in people who speak a lot, such as teachers, salespeople, and singers. These include individuals who tend to shout, are impatient, and speak improperly. Such cases are commonly seen in clinics, especially among children. For example, children who shout and speak carelessly at school during the semester may develop vocal cord nodules with hoarseness as a symptom. Additionally, emotionally excitable and impatient people can develop nodules. Some grandparents, who often yell at their children at home, also tend to develop vocal cord nodules. In summary, those who speak too much, shout, mispronounce sounds, or are emotionally excitable are at risk of developing vocal cord nodules.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
55sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of vocal cord nodules

Vocal cord nodules, also known as singer's nodules, typically present as symmetrical nodular protrusions at the junction of the anterior and middle one-thirds of the vocal cords, with a relatively broad base. The main symptom is hoarseness of voice. Initially, the hoarseness is mild, characterized by a rough voice or nearly normal voice, such as when the voice is overused and feels fatigued, leading to intermittent bouts of hoarseness. Over time, the symptom of hoarseness worsens, progressing from intermittent to persistent hoarseness, affecting singers who cannot sing and teachers who are unable to teach. Examination with a laryngoscope may reveal small nodular protrusions on the anterior-middle one-third of the vocal cords, with incomplete closure of the glottis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

Can vocal cord nodules turn into cancer?

Patients with vocal cord nodules usually do not undergo cancerous changes. The main causes of vocal cord nodules are related to improper use of the voice, excessive vocalization, and other factors. The pathological basis for the formation of vocal cord nodules involves edema in the Reinke's layer of the vocal cord mucosa, causing symmetrical hyperplasia of the vocal cords on both sides. The main symptoms in patients are hoarseness and difficulty in producing high-pitched sounds. The primary treatments for patients with vocal cord nodules currently include medication and surgery. Additionally, it is important for patients to protect their voice in daily life, practice voice rest, and reduce unhealthy habits like smoking and alcohol consumption to help prevent the occurrence of vocal cord nodules. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)