Sulcus Vocalis and Benign Vocal Cord Lesions: Is There Any Relationship?

Carmelo Saraniti, Gaetano Patti and Barbara Verro ()
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Carmelo Saraniti: Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Gaetano Patti: Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Barbara Verro: Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Sulcus vocalis (SV) is a longitudinal groove in the free edge of the true vocal cord. It may impair phonation with incomplete glottic closure, phonasthenia and hoarseness. This study aims to detect a correlation between benign vocal cord lesions and the incidence of the SV. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on patients who underwent transoral surgery due to benign vocal fold lesions and were selected according to strict criteria. Patients were divided into a group with sulcus vocalis (Group wSV) and a group without sulcus vocalis (Group w/oSV). The possible correlations between variables were assessed by the Pearson chi-square test ( p < 0.05). Results: The study included 232 vocal cord lesions in 229 patients: 62.88% were females whose mean age was 46.61 ± 14.04. The most frequent diseases were polyps (37.94%), nodules (18.53%) and Reinke’s edema (21.12%). Statistically significant relationships were found between age and SV ( p -value 0.0005) and between mild dysplasia and SV ( p -value 0.03). Conclusions: This study did not detect a cause–effect relationship between SV and benign vocal fold lesions. SV within vocal fold lesions is more common in younger patients, suggesting a congenital nature of SV. In conclusion, in the case of a benign vocal fold lesion, a possible SV should be considered and researched to provide the patient the best healthcare.

Keywords: larynx; laryngoscopic surgery; phonation; voice quality; vocal cords (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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