Vocal Cord Hemorrhage | UCI Head and Neck Surgery - UCI ENT Doctors - Otolaryngologists (2024)

FAQs

What kind of doctor do you see for vocal cord damage? ›

Laryngologists are experts at diagnosing and treating vocal cord injuries. This includes injuries from overusing or misusing your voice. They can also treat injuries related to surgeries to your neck or throat.

Management of a hemorrhage is total voice rest to allow the blood to reabsorb. If an irregular blood vessel is noted to be the source of hemorrhage, in office laser surgery or microlaryngoscopy may be used to remove this blood vessel.

More commonly known as ear, nose and throat physicians (ENTs), Northwestern Medicine otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and disorders of the head and neck, including vocal cord polyps and nodules.

Otolaryngology is a medical specialty which is focused on the ears, nose, and throat. It is also called otolaryngology-head and neck surgery because specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery. An otolaryngologist is often called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or an ENT for short.

In general, the primary treatment for a vocal fold hemorrhage is voice rest. On average, a discrete hemorrhage can completely resolve with 7 to 10 days of rest. Voice rest does not mean talking less; it means no talking (including whispering).

Can a paralyzed vocal cord be repaired? Sometimes, the vocal cords repair themselves. This may take months. With voice therapy, vocal cord injections or implants, your voice may get stronger and allow people to hear you better when you talk.

Typically, your physician will prescribe three to seven days of voice rest after surgery. This means absolutely no talking, throat clearing, whispering, or coughing (if you can avoid it). Any noise that you make can be damaging and may make it difficult for the vocal cords to heal properly.

Removing the voice box (total laryngectomy)

Your surgeon might take out the whole of your voice box (larynx) to remove your cancer. This is called a total laryngectomy. They might also remove part of the pharynx. The pharynx is the area that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and food pipe.

Laryngoscopy is an exam of the back of your throat, including your voice box (larynx). Your voice box contains your vocal cords and allows you to speak.

Common Surgeries

Common procedures include eardrum repair (tympanoplasty), stapedectomy, and ear tube placement. Nose or nasal surgery – Nose surgery often aims to correct sinus problems, which can be caused by conditions such as sinusitis.

Which condition would an otolaryngologist treat? ›

An otolaryngologist, or ENT, is a healthcare specialist who treats conditions affecting your ears, nose and throat. They can also perform head and neck surgeries, including surgeries on your ears, mouth, throat, nose, neck and face.

The leader of the voice care team is typically a surgeon who specializes in ear, nose, and throat medicine (otolaryngologist) or an otolaryngologist who has further subspecialized in the larynx, voice, and related problems such as swallowing (laryngologist).

Flexible laryngoscopy: The doctor uses a flexible laryngoscope (a thin, flexible instrument that lights and magnifies images) for a better view of the larynx and vocal cords. Often, doctors can do this in the office after giving a child numbing medicine.

Treatment may include voice therapy, surgery, or both. In some instances, you may get better without surgical treatment. For this reason, your doctor may delay surgery for six months to a year from the beginning of your vocal cord paralysis.

Vocal fold paralysis is usually diagnosed by an otolaryngologist—a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and when the problems began in order to help determine their cause.