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Glottoplasty is voice surgery that changes the vibrating length or configuration of the vocal folds to alter vocal pitch. The term most commonly refers to Wendler glottoplasty for pitch elevation. In this endoscopic procedure, the front portions of the vocal folds are prepared and sutured together to create a permanent anterior glottic web. Shortening the vibrating portion of the vocal folds raises the fundamental frequency of the voice.
read more about glottoplasty ...Glottoplasty is most commonly used as a pitch-elevating procedure for people seeking voice feminization when voice therapy alone does not produce the desired result. It can also be considered in selected patients who want a higher vocal pitch for other clinical reasons. Preoperative voice assessment helps document pitch, range, vocal quality, vocal-fold health, and treatment goals. Voice therapy is commonly used before or after surgery to address resonance, speech patterns, vocal efficiency, and safe voice use.
Wendler glottoplasty is performed endoscopically through the mouth under general anesthesia, so there is no external neck incision. The surgeon removes or disrupts the surface epithelium from the front portion of each vocal fold and sutures the prepared edges together. The joined section heals into an anterior web, leaving a shorter posterior segment available for vibration. Some techniques add laser treatment or other modifications to strengthen the web or adjust the final pitch effect.
Strict voice rest is commonly prescribed during the early healing period so the anterior web can form without excessive mechanical stress. Voice use is then resumed gradually according to the surgeon and speech-language pathologist's protocol. The voice can sound rough, weak, or unstable during early healing before pitch and quality settle. Voice therapy helps patients adapt to the altered vocal-fold configuration and use the new voice efficiently.
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, granuloma, scar formation, web separation, and an unsatisfactory pitch change. The procedure can reduce the lower vocal range and can also affect upper range, loudness, or voice quality. Excessive scarring or an irregular web can contribute to persistent dysphonia. Revision surgery or additional voice therapy can be needed when the pitch change is insufficient, excessive, or accompanied by troublesome voice quality.
Yes. It shortens the vibrating length of the vocal folds by creating an anterior web, which generally raises speaking fundamental frequency.
No. Wendler glottoplasty is usually performed endoscopically through the mouth, so there is no external neck incision.
Voice rest reduces vibration and mechanical stress while the surgically joined front portions of the vocal folds heal into a stable web.
Yes. Pitch generally rises, but the lower range often becomes more limited and voice quality, loudness, or upper range can also change.
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