Publication: Thyroid cartilage and vocal fold reduction: A new phonosurgical method for male-to-female transsexuals
Issued Date
2000-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00034894
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0033763781
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. Vol.109, No.11 (2000), 1082-1086
Suggested Citation
S. Kunachak, S. Prakunhungsit, K. Sujjalak Thyroid cartilage and vocal fold reduction: A new phonosurgical method for male-to-female transsexuals. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. Vol.109, No.11 (2000), 1082-1086. doi:10.1177/000348940010901116 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/26310
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Thyroid cartilage and vocal fold reduction: A new phonosurgical method for male-to-female transsexuals
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
To date, there is a paucity of literature on surgery to alter vocal pitch in male-to-female transsexuals. The currently available pitch-raising surgical techniques yield neither a good long-term result nor a high enough pitch to simulate a female voice. We investigated a new procedure to alter vocal pitch in 6 male-to-female transsexuals. The principle is to shorten and increase tension on both vocal folds by composite resection of a vertical strip of the anterior thyroid cartilage along with a segment of vocal fold. This resulted in a satisfactory pitch alteration from an average of 147 Hz before operation to 315 Hz afterward. In addition to a marked pitch elevation, all patients were particularly pleased with the softness of the voice and the simultaneous loss of the prominentia laryngea (Adam's apple). The longest follow-up was 6 years. In conclusion, thyroid cartilage and vocal fold reduction is an effective method for long-term alteration of voice in male-to-female transsexuals.