Understanding Phonomicrosurgery

Key Glossary Terms

Phonomicrosurgery
Highly specialized surgery to improve voice (phonosurgery) using microsurgical techniques and highly magnified views (microsurgery) in order to provide microscopic detail

Superficial Lamina Propria (Reinke's space)
Top layer of the laminae propria that plays a key role in vocal fold vibration; loosely structured; located just underneath the cell lining (epithelium) covering the vocal fold

Glossary

Phonomicrosurgery is a key surgical treatment for certain voice disorders.

Phonomicrosurgery	Microsurgery	Phonomicrosurgery
voice improvement Surgery to improve or restore voice	microscopic scale Surgical procedures performed through an operating microscope using specialized microsurgical instruments	phonosurgery + microsurgery Microsurgical techniques applied to phonosurgery Use of an operative microscope allows highly magnified views of the fine layers of the vocal folds Microsurgical instruments allow surgical manipulation of delicate structures of the vocal folds while minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue

Phonomicrosurgery is usually performed through a rigid tube called a laryngoscope that is inserted through the mouth. This tube provides an avenue for the microscope viewing field, as well as the passageway for the surgical instruments.

Phonomicrosurgery is performed with the patient "completely asleep" under general anesthesia.

To obtain the best results, the surgeon must remove the diseased tissue or lesions while preserving the normal functional vocal fold tissues. The use of magnification and delicate instruments makes this possible.