Micro laryngeal surgery for benign lesions of the larynx: our experience

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of various types of benign mucosal lesions of the larynx causing hoarseness and to review the role of demographic and etiological risk factors in relation to the benign mucosal lesions of the larynx. Patients with hoarseness presenting to the department of Otorhinolaryngology at our tertiary-care institute, from the month of January 2017 to June 2022 were evaluated by indirect video laryngoscopy followed by direct laryngoscopy with biopsy. A total of 30 patients with clinical evidence of a benign vocal cord lesion, above the age of 15 years were selected. A clinical and epidemiologic profile was formulated from the data obtained from these patients. Vocal nodules were the commonest type of benign lesions of the vocal fold, followed by vocal fold polyps. Overall, there was a slight male predominance with the maximum incidence in the age group 41-50 years. The most common risk factors were voice abuse and smoking and the less common were GERD, alcohol intake, fume exposure, and allergy. Lifestyle modifications like vocal hygiene, cessation of smoking, alcohol, and spicy food played an important role in significantly reducing the incidence of these benign vocal fold lesions.