Male to female vocal surgery - Feminization laryngoplasty: Case 31

In this case, the patient had already had a thyroid cartilage reduction "trach shave" ten years ago and her speaking pitch had dropped. Seven years ago she had a "cricothyroid approximation" and had lost nearly all her range, but her voice was described as less raspy. Both the loss of pitch with the "trach shave" and the loss of range with a cricothyroid approximation are both known complications of these procedures.

I have had a difficult time correcting these complications because of stiffness in the voicebox (ankylosis of the cricothyroid joint), so this time I tried to do the minimal amount of intervention possible.

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 this case of laryngeal reduction 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 should not be construed to represent what will be acheived in any other patient. Thus there are several examples of patients on the site

Pre Surgery

6 weeks

6 months

Reading passage

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

Pitch: about A2# - so fairly low in male range

(typical male speaking range about B2 - E3)

Pitch: about G3# (about 10 semitones higher than pre-op) soft quality

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

Pitch: about

(normal female speaking range about E3 - A3)

Lowest pitch

Pitch: about E2 (normal male low range varies C1 - C3)

Pitch: about F3 (normal female low range varies between B2 - F3) this is a glide from high to lowest pitch.

Pitch: about

Highest pitch

Pitch: about A4. It wasn't really a glide since going up in pitch was so difficult.

Pitch: about D5 - this is a glide from low to the highest pitch.

Pitch: about

Vegetative sounds

coughing & throat clearing

definite change

Yell

loud phonation

definite change

Laryngoscopy

Views

Stroboscopy

saying the sound /i/

As I mentioned above, I have had a difficult time correcting the complications from trach shave and cricothyroid approximation because of stiffness in the voicebox (ankylosis of the cricothyroid joint), so this time I tried to do the minimal amount of intervention possible. I opened the larynx and shortened the vocal cords by about 2 or 3 mm (always difficult to tell exactly as they stretch and shrink easily once I open the voice box). However I am quite pleased with the results and the voice was up in pitch after only two weeks. In fact, I had to ask the patient not to use the voice too extensively early on.

Also, she is 5' 7" and 135 lbs, so a higher pitch would be appropriate with a petite build.

WOW!! I AM SOOO IN LOVE WITH MY NEW VOICE !!!! I can't believe what a difference and impact it has made in my life, I am a model and singer , so this procedure was "everything" to me, and it really needed to be perfect, but i understood there were "NO GUARANTEES" with this type of surgery, sooo I consider myself a lucky girl !!! Now everywhere I go people don't look at me twice, or judge me !! As for all my family and friends --when i revealed my new voice -they were in total shock !!! I SOUNDED LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON, I would say like a "VALLEY GIRL" from beverly hills, lol, and as for my singing --ITS AMAZING !!! in the beginning my voice was really high, so i was singing, Mariah Carey ballads, now im more in range of J.LO and jessica simpson!! My girlfriend cried when she heard me sing --she was soooo happy for me, and other than that I hit every note --and she was taken back by the tone of my voice when i sang! I would say this surgery was a complete success, and i would recommend it to anyone struggling or having issues with there voice pitch !

Dr. Thomas and all of his staff, were very sweet, caring,friendly, and helpful with any questions I had, I know this surgery seems to be alot of money, but it was worth every penny, you can just hear for yourself!!!