Journal of Voice
Volume 25, Issue 1 , Pages 120-123, January 2011

Glottoplasty for Male-to-Female Transsexualism: Voice Results

  • Marc Remacle

      Affiliations

    • Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of Louvain at Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
    • ,
  • Nayla Matar

      Affiliations

    • Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of Louvain at Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to Nayla Matar, ENT & Head Neck Department, University Hospital of Louvain at Mont-Godinne, Dr Therasse Avenue, No. 1, B-5530, Yvoir, Belgium.
    • ,
  • Dominique Morsomme

      Affiliations

    • Audio Phonology Center, University of Louvain at Saint Lue, Brussels, Belgium
    • ,
  • Ingrid Veduyckt

      Affiliations

    • Audio Phonology Center, University of Louvain at Saint Lue, Brussels, Belgium
    • ,
  • Georges Lawson

      Affiliations

    • Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, University of Louvain at Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium

Accepted 8 July 2009. published online 22 February 2010.

Summary 

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective voice results of Wendler's glottoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed our patients treated with Wendler's technique with minor modifications. Glottoplasty consisted in CO2-laser epithelial ablation of the anterior commissure and the two vocal folds in anterior third, suturing of the two vocal folds with two stitches of 3.0 resorbable thread, and application of fibrin sealant to strengthen the suture. Voice assessment was based mainly on fundamental frequency (F0), frequency range, jitter, maximum phonation time, phonation quotient, estimated subglottic pressure (ESGP) grade of dysphonia (G), and voice handicap index (VHI). These measures were taken before surgery and on the last follow-up visit.

Results

Our series included 15 patients with a mean age of 36 years. The mean follow-up period was 7.2 months. We did not observe any early complications related to the technique. The comparison between the preoperative and the postoperative measurements, using Wilcoxon signed rank test, showed a significant improvement of median F0 from 139 to 191Hz (P=0.006) with an increase in the grade of dysphonia (Gpre=0.2, Gpost=1, P=0.013) and ESGP (ESGPpre=8.1±3.2, ESGPpost=12.0±3.8, P=0.002). Other measurements, including VHI, did not show any significant differences pre- and postoperatively.

Conclusion

Wendler's glottoplasty can contribute to feminize the voice.

Key Words: Transsexuals, Glottoplasty, Laser therapy, Voice analysis

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Financial support and funding: the authors did not receive any financial support for the writing of this article. The manuscript is not simultaneously submitted elsewhere and has not been previously published.

PII: S0892-1997(09)00112-X

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2009.07.004

Journal of Voice
Volume 25, Issue 1 , Pages 120-123, January 2011

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution