Symptoms of recurrent vocal cord polyps

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on December 28, 2024
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Vocal cord polyps are a common and frequently occurring illness, primarily characterized by symptoms such as hoarseness and throat discomfort. After surgical removal of vocal cord polyps through suspension laryngoscopy, the patient's voice may still be hoarse in the short term. This hoarseness is mainly due to postoperative mucosal edema, and the general recovery period requires three to four weeks. Patients need to rest their voice and reduce vocal usage. Dietary precautions include avoiding spicy and irritating foods and reducing the incidence of colds and coughs. If a patient experiences a recurrence of vocal cord polyps, the main symptom is hoarseness. This can be confirmed through an examination with an electronic laryngoscope to determine whether the vocal cord polyps have recurred. There is still a certain probability of recurrence, which mainly depends on how the patient protects their voice in daily life.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How are vocal cord polyps caused?

The main causes of vocal cord polyps are improper voicing or excessive voice use. For example, professions that involve a lot of talking, such as teachers, salespeople, singers, actors, etc., can also lead to polyps after a single intense vocalization. For instance, clinically, it is seen in individuals who go to karaoke after drinking and shout loudly, straining their voice, which can then cause the formation of the vertical polyps. Additionally, upper respiratory infections, such as hoarseness following a cold, can also lead to the diagnosis of vocal cord polyps upon further examination. Therefore, the primary causes are improper or excessive voice use and some upper respiratory infections that lead to vocal cord polyps.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted after vocal cord polyp surgery?

The most important thing to pay attention to after vocal cord polyp surgery is to speak as little as possible, which means vocal rest. Typically, vocal rest should last between two to four weeks. The better you adhere to vocal rest, the better your voice will recover after the surgery. Once recovered, continue to minimize speaking and ensure correct pronunciation to prevent recurrence of vocal cord polyps. Another important consideration is avoiding environments with tobacco smoke; do not smoke and try to stay away from places where others are smoking. Diet should be light, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods. Also, manage your emotions in daily life; do not rush or shout, as this can affect your recovery. Even if you do not yell when anxious, it can still lead to a less than optimal post-operative recovery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps cause loss of voice?

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms that occur on the vocal cords. They protrude from the surface of the vocal cords. Generally, after the occurrence of vocal cord polyps, surgical treatment is performed to remove them, as vocal cord polyps can cause hoarseness, affecting our work, and impacting our career and life. Severe vocal cord polyps, if not treated, can lead to repeated friction between the vocal cords, which may even result in the potential malignancy. Of course, vocal cord polyps severely affect our voice quality, causing hoarseness and in severe cases lead to voice loss, causing a sensation of air leakage when we speak. In summary, vocal cord polyps can lead to loss of voice.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be treated without surgery?

Vocal cord polyps are an occupying lesion in the throat area, taking the form of relatively larger polypoid formations. Vocal cord polyps typically require surgical removal, mainly performed under a microscope-supported laryngoscope. In the early stages of vocal cord polyps or when the polyps are small, some doctors may use medications, such as corticosteroid hormones or certain traditional Chinese medicines that clear the voice and benefit the throat. However, as vocal cord polyps tend to grow larger, reaching the extent of polyp development, it is difficult to treat them with medications alone and eliminate them pharmacologically. Thus, the prevailing recommendation for vocal cord polyps is surgical removal.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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The difference between vocal cord polyps and vocal cord nodules

Vocal cord polyps and vocal cord nodules are diseases caused by incorrect pronunciation or overuse of the voice, with the main clinical manifestation being hoarseness. The difference between vocal cord polyps and vocal cord nodules lies in their appearance under a laryngoscope: Vocal cord polyps often occur on one vocal cord, typically in the anterior one-third where a translucent, smooth swelling is found. This swelling can either have a broad stalk or a smaller stalk, and often, a hole can be observed with respiration. Vocal cord nodules are smaller and usually located symmetrically on the anterior one-third of both vocal cords. This implies that while polyps are commonly found on one vocal cord, nodules occur symmetrically on the anterior one-third of both vocal cords. From a general perspective, vocal cord polyps are wider and larger, whereas vocal cord nodules are only nodular lesions.