Male to female vocal surgery - Cricothyroid approximation

These recordings are set to a fairly low resolution for the internet but do demonstrate the general sound and function of the vocal cords before and after cricothyroid approximation surgery. Much more detail is actually visible in the office. The videos when shown are oriented with the front down and the left vocal fold is on the right of the video. Orientation is discussed here. Please note: These examples of possible results are not a guarantee of results. In my experience, there is about a 30% rate of having the pitch return to nearly the presurgical range.

There are many components to a voice exam. I have selected ones here that I feel change the most with this type of surgery.

Pre Surgery

2 years Post Surgery

Reading passage

Pitch is described relative to C4 or middle C on the piano.

Pitch: about D3

(typical male speaking range about B2 - E3)

Pitch: about F3#

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

Lowest pitch

Pitch: about A2 (normal male varies C1 - C3)

Pitch: about D3 (normal female varies B2 - F3)

Highest pitch

Pitch: about F5 (normal male varies F4 - F5)

Pitch: about G5# (normal female varies C5 - C6)

Vegetative sounds

coughing & throat clearing

Pitch: a little softer

Yell

loud phonation

not much change

Stroboscopy

saying the sound /i/ at a low pitch