Swallowing and Voice Outcomes After Thyroidectomy
Swallowing and Voice Outcomes After Thyroidectomy
Impairment in voice and swallowing functions are common after thyroidectomy. The
 investigators aimed to evaluate the objective functional voice and swallowing outcomes in a
 series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

 according to the study, even in the absence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, subjective
 and objective swallowing and voice alterations do occur after thyroidectomy.
A total of 43 consenting patients who underwent thyroidectomy were prospectively recruited.
 Subjective evaluation of swallowing was assessed with 'Swallowing Impairment Score' and 'MD
 Anderson Dysphagia Inventory'. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was
 applied for objective evaluation. Also, functional oral intake scale (FOIS) and functional
 outcome swallowing scale (FOSS) were used for swallowing assessment. Voice evaluation was
 assessed with videostrobolaryngoscopy (VSL) and 'The Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP)'
 was used for capturing and analyzing the voice samples. All evaluations were performed
 preoperatively and on 1st day, 2nd week and 6th months postoperatively.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  patients undergoing thyroidectomy

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients who were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma preoperatively

 -  Having history of previous neck surgery,

 -  History of radiotherapy at head and neck region,

 -  Vocal cord paralysis,

 -  neuromuscular dysfunction,

 -  larynx, esophagus and chest pathology

 -  who did not want to be involved in the study