Overview | Understanding Phonomicrosurgery | How It’s Done | Indications | Strategies | The Patient’s Role
Key Glossary Terms
Phonomicrosurgery: (phono + micro + surgery)
Highly specialized surgery to improve voice (phonosurgery) using microsurgical techniques and highly magnified views (microsurgery) in order to provide microscopic detail
Superficial Lamina Propria: (“Reinke’s space”)
Top layer of the laminae propria that plays a key role in vocal fold vibration; loosely structured; located just underneath the cell lining (epithelium) covering the vocal fold
In Brief
Phonomicrosurgery is a specialized form of phonosurgery. In phonomicrosurgery, surgeon-voice specialists use microsurgical techniques and instruments to treat abnormalities on the vibratory edge of the vocal fold, thus helping a patient regain or improve voice function.
Phonosurgery: surgery to improve voice
Microsurgery: surgery performed with microscopic detail; the location of the procedure is viewed through an operating microscope, and the procedure is performed using microsurgical instruments
Recent Advances
Increased understanding of voice function and new instrumentation have allowed phonomicrosurgery to become an effective treatment option for patients with certain voice disorders that are due to vocal fold abnormalities and that have not responded to medical or voice therapy.
Need for Voice Therapy
Most patients who require phonomicrosurgery will also require post-surgical voice therapy.
Working Philosophy
In order to improve voice function in patients with voice disorders, the surgeon must remove the abnormal tissue while preserving the normal surrounding tissues. The use of magnification and fine microsurgical instruments makes this possible.
Advisory Note
Patient education material presented here does not substitute for medical consultation or examination, nor is this material intended to provide advice on the medical treatment appropriate to any specific circumstances.
All use of this site indicates acceptance of our Terms of Service