Sex-based outcomes in type I thyroplasty for nonparalytic glottic incompetence

Objective: Clinical outcomes for type I Gore-Tex thyroplasty (GMT) for nonparalytic glottic incompetence (GI) have been reported in the literature. Given differences in male and female laryngeal anatomy, sex-based outcomes should also be evaluated. We endeavored to evaluate sex-specific post-GMT voice outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing GMT for nonparalytic GI. Multidimensional voice outcome measures including voice-related quality of life (VRQOL), Glottal Function Index (GFI), and grade/roughness/breathiness/asthenia/strain (GRBAS) were analyzed at postoperative time frames: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 9 months, and 9 to 18 months. Results: Eighty-five subjects (43 females, 42 males) with mean age 53.5 undergoing GMT for nonparalytic GI from 2005 to 2017 met inclusion criteria. Etiologies included vocal fold hypomobility (N = 36, 42%), paresis (N = 18, 21%), vocal fold atrophy (N = 17, 20%), and scarring (N = 14, 17%). Females had significantly greater improvement on VRQOL at 0 to 3 months and 9 to 18 months timeframes compared to males, with mean change in VRQOL: 41.3 versus 22.4 (P = 0.0002) and 42.5 versus 20.8 (P = 0.002), respectively. Similarly, women had significantly greater improvement in GFI at 0 to 3 months follow-up (mean difference − 10.8 vs. −4.9, respectively, P = 0.0002). There was no statistically significant sex difference in GRBAS at any follow-up interval. Conclusion: Following GMT, females had greater improvement in patient-reported voice outcomes in the early postoperative period. No significant difference between sexes was noted in perceptual measures (GRBAS). Sex-specific outcomes should be evaluated for clinical interventions to improve specificity of preoperative counseling. Level of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 129:2543–2548, 2019.