[Organic changes of the vocal cords. Phonosurgery helps here].

Surgical interventions aimed at preserving, improving or restoring vocal function define the term phonosurgery. Options include endolaryngeal microscopic techniques and extralaryngeal approaches for the treatment of vocal cord polyps, Reinke's edema, nodules and cysts, treatment of injuries to the larynx, and partial resection of malignant tumors. Further indications are deficits in vocal cord closure resulting from impaired laryngeal nerve function. Of particular importance in this connection are augmentation and medialization of the vocal cords. Additional possibilities are modification (higher/lower) of the pitch of the voice to improve the quality of life of transsexuals. Provided the indications are carefully established and concomitent voice training is offered, phonosurgical interventions may be a good means of ameliorating morphological and functional deficits of the larynx. Patient information on the possibilities of phonosurgery, careful selection of the appropriate surgical technique, adequate experience on the part of the surgeon, and good anesthesiological management, all impact on the outcome of this form of treatment.