Laser Reduction Glottoplasty for Voice Feminization: Experience on 28 Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Laser reduction glottoplasty is a relatively new surgical procedure for voice feminization on transgender women. This study aims to determine long-term voice results of glottoplasty on transwomen.

Methods: Nonrandomized, retrospective, cohort. Tertiary referral center. Endoscopic laser reduction glottoplasty was performed on 28 transwomen. Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQ), acoustic analysis with /a/ for F₀, jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio and acoustic analysis for speaking F₀ were measured before and after surgery. Patients self-evaluated their postoperative voices and medical students and 2 voice experts scored patients' pre- and postsurgery voice samples as masculine, feminine or neither.

Results: Mean total VHI and TVQ scores improved significantly postoperatively (P < .001). Pre- and postsurgery mean F₀ were 132 and 198 Hz and mean speaking F₀ were 123 and 194 Hz, respectively; these variations were found statistically significant (P < .001). Postoperative mean jitter, shimmer and NHR increased significantly compared to preoperative values (P < .05). Nine patients (32%) were not happy with their postsurgery voice result and were offered anterior glottic web formation as secondary procedure. MFT women's self-ratings of their postsurgery voices showed 3 masculine, 19 feminine and 6 neither outcomes, leading to patient gratification score of 68%. Medical students evaluated 79% of postsurgery voice specimens as feminine. Voice experts evaluated 75% of postsurgery voice specimens as feminine.

Conclusions: Laser reduction glottoplasty is an accomplished and satisfying operation for feminizing voice of transwomen. Its voice outcome appears to be durable for 5 years. However, secondary operation may be needed to further gratify transwomen.

Keywords: feminization; laryngoscopy; transgender persons; transsexualism; vocal cords; voice.