Wendler Glottoplasty and Voice-Therapy in Male-to-Female Transsexuals: Results in Pre and Post-Surgery Assessment

Publication date: March–April 2016
Source:Acta Otorrinolaringologica (English Edition), Volume 67, Issue 2
Author(s): Juan C. Casado, Carlos O'Connor, María S. Angulo, José A. Adrián
IntroductionWith the development of new ENT techniques, many male transsexuals who wish to become women usually request a surgical procedure to raise the fundamental frequency of the voice (feminization). The ENT specialist and the voice-therapist have to use an interdisciplinary approach to this growing social demand. The aim of this study was to show the results in a group of transsexual patients after Wendler's anterior synechiae, with additional voice-therapy treatment.MethodsTen male transsexuals who wish to become women patients who had Wendler glottoplasty and voice-therapy were assessed. The surgical procedure consisted of a de-epithelialization of the anterior third of both vocal folds; this area was sutured and the surface of both vocal folds was vaporised with laser diode. Pre- and postsurgery voice assessment consisted of measuring fundamental frequency (Fo) and maximum phonation time, administering the transgender self-assessment questionnaire (TSEQ) and obtaining perceptual voice assessment by inter-rater agreement.ResultsAll the male transsexuals who wish to become women patients significantly increased their Fo (106Hz on average) after the treatment. Furthermore, significant improvements were shown in self-reported satisfaction and in the degree of voice feminization. No improvements in the maximum phonation time were observed.ConclusionsWendler glottoplasty is a surgical procedure to contribute to feminising the voice, with good medium-term results and without noteworthy medical complications. The increase in vocal tone was observed using several pre- and post-surgery control measures and voice therapy.



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