The Effects of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy after Minimally Invasive Cervical Esophagectomy on Voice Quality: Assessment through Objective Acoustic Parameters
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2025-07-16
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en
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Minimally Invasive Cervical Esophagectomy (MICE) is an innovative surgical approach for treating esophageal cancer but carries an increased risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP), potentially affecting voice quality. This study investigates changes in voice quality following MICE in patients with potential RLNP, using objective acoustic analysis. Voice samples from 12 patients at three time points were analysed in Praat. Four out of nine acoustic parameters showed significant changes over time, though trends varied. The modified Dysphonia Severity Index (mDSI) initially appeared sensitive but was excluded due to differing calculation methods and inconsistent patterns. The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), especially its individual parameters, is recommended for clinical use. Findings suggest that objective voice measures can capture voice changes in patients with potential RLNP after MICE. However, substantial interindividual variation and methodological limitations highlight the need for further research with larger samples and standardized protocols to establish clinical applicability.
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