Do laryngeal structural changes resulting from aging impair vocal recovery after laryngeal microsurgery in the elderly?

• Grant number: 21/05659-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal researcher: Regina Helena Garcia Martins
• Grantee: Antonio Rodrigues Bueno da Fonseca
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The physiological deterioration of the elderly's voice is called presbyphonia, characterized by symptoms of: hoarseness, excessive throat clearing, vocal fatigue, coughing, breathlessness and vocal tremor, among others. This changes occur due to the modifications in the larynx, such as calcification of cartilage, muscle atrophy and, in the vocal folds, an increase in the amount of collagen fibers in the lamina propria and a decrease in elastic fibers and hyaluronic acid. The vocal folds, when manipulated, as in microsurgery of the larynx, undergo a process of regeneration quickly. However, there are doubts if this regeneration ability is maintained in the larynx of the elderly, in view of the structural changes that occur in the presbilarynx. Objectives: To assess if laryngeal structural changes, resulting from the aging process, influence or impair vocal recovery after laryngeal microsurgery in the elderly. Methods: Retrospective and prospective observational cohort study in which patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery, for the removal of benign structural lesions, will be divided into two groups: G1: control, with patients between 20 and 59 years old; G2: sample, with patients over 60 years old. Patients will be submitted to anamnesis evaluation directed to voice disorders, videolaryngoscopy exam, Voice Handicap Index questionnaire, perceptual-auditory voice assessment and computerized vocal assessment, which will be carried out in three moments: preoperative; 1 month after surgery and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis: Comparison between groups will be made, with statistical analysis by parametric and non-parametric tests according to the nature of the variables. p <0.05 will be adopted as having statistical significance. (AU)