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DownloadA thyroplasty is a procedure performed on the vocal cords to help improve your voice.
Your surgeon has recommended that you have this operation in order to improve the quality and tone of your voice. Thyroplasty offers a permanent solution.
Before your operation you will be seen at pre-assessment clinic and will be screened for MRSA with swabs from your throat, nose, armpit or groin. If you have other medical problems, you might also have an appointment arranged for you to see an anaesthetist (the doctor that puts you to sleep for the operation).
Some useful tips.
On the day of your operation, you will arrive on the ward where nursing staff will go through some paperwork with you, check your vital signs (blood pressure etc.) and give you a gown and stockings to wear (to prevent blood clots).
Before your operation, you will see your surgeon who will go through the operation and the consent form with you.
You will also see your anaesthetist who will go through how you are put to sleep and answer any questions you may have about this.
A small cut is made, in the skin, in the middle of the neck. A piece of cartilage (from the thyroid cartilage) is removed and a silastic (type of plastic) implant is placed through the cartilage into the voice box. This allows the position of the vocal cords to be changed so that they can come together.
This procedure is usually performed under local anaesthetic but you will be given a sedative so that you are relaxed and sleepy throughout the procedure. When the implant is inserted, a camera scope will then be passed through your nose so that the surgeon can see your vocal cords and check the position of the implant.
Thyroplasty is generally a very safe procedure. However, you should be aware of the following risks.
0 - 1 day.
2 - 14 days.
After the first day of complete voice rest, you may start using the voice very gently and sparingly over the next 10 days. After 2 weeks you can use the voice as normal.
You should also
Your surgeon will arrange to see you in clinic after the thyroplasty. You will get notified of this in a letter through the post. If you do not hear anything from the ENT department, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
For further information, please see: Thyroplasty treatment
The Princess Royal Hospital
Ansty Ward telephone number: 01444 441 881 extension 8240.
Hickstead Pre-assessment Clinic: extension 5963.
The Royal Sussex County Hospital
8AW Ward: 01273 696 955 extension 4357.
Ear, Nose and Throat secretaries: 01273 696 955 extension 4802.
If you have any special requirements (eg. related to religion) or any access issues (eg. related to loss of vision or disability) then please do not hesitate to contact the Hickstead pre-assessment clinic for further advice / information.
This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Review Date: December 2022