Authors: Mendelsohn AH, Berke GS
Title: Surgery or botulinum toxin for adductor spasmodic dysphonia: a comparative study
Source: Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology 2012 121(4): 231-238
Year: 2012
Research Design: Non Randomised Controlled Trial
Rating Score: 04/10
This rating is confirmed
Eligibility specified - Y
Random allocation - N
Concealed allocation - N
Baseline comparability - N
Blind subjects - N
Blind therapists - N
Blind assessors - Y
Adequate follow-up - Y
Intention-to-treat analysis - N
Between-group comparisons - Y
Point estimates and variability - Y
Abstract:

Objectives: Currently, botulinum toxin (Botox) injection is the standard of treatment for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). We sought to compare the outcome of selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation (SLAD-R) surgery for ADSD to that of Botox injections. Methods: Patient-oriented measures (VHI-10) and objective single-blinded gradings of digital voice recordings were utilized as outcome measures. The surgical cohort, recruited by retrospective patient selection, consisted of 77 patients with a mean follow-up time of 7.54 +/- 2.55 years (range, 2.2 to 14.2 years). The injection cohort, recruited prospectively, included 28 patients with a mean follow-up time of 46.37 +/- 5.51 days (range, 36 to 54 days). Results: As measured by the VHI-10, the surgical patients had significantly improved voice handicap outcome scores (mean, 14.4 +/- 13.6) as compared to the patients who had Botox injection (mean, 26.5 +/- 12.1; p = 0.001). Aside from VHI-10 item 2, the surgical group demonstrated significantly improved voice-related function on each VHI-10 component (p = 0.01). Within the injection subgroup, 88% agreed that Botox successfully treats their ADSD, yet only 63% agreed that Botox improves their speech consistently. Within the surgical subgroup, 82% would recommend this surgery to others, and 78% agreed that their voice was actually better after surgery than after Botox. Objective voice ratings demonstrated similar levels of breathiness and overall voice quality in the treatment subgroups. Conclusions: When indicated, the SLAD-R surgery for ADSD demonstrates outcomes equal to or superior to those of the current standard of Botox injections.

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