Pitch altering surgeries > Laryngeal Reduction surgery

Information for patients considering a surgery on their voice box to reduce the size of the Adam’s Apple. While not really a surgery to change the pitch of the voice, it often accompanies surgery that changes the pitch of the voice.

• Definition
• Indications
• Presurgery
• Risks
• Procedure
• Recovery
• Instructions during healing
• References

The following is typical for my patients. There certainly are regional and individual surgeon variations in style.

Definition

Laryngeal Reduction is a procedure designed to reduce the protrusion and noticability of the Adam’s Apple.

Indications

The surgery is for patients whose wish to have a smoother, more feminine anterior neck line.

Presurgery

Before the surgery/procedure, a PARQ conference is held with you. This is an acronym for Procedures, Alternatives, Risks and Questions. It means that your surgeon has discussed with you in full detail the reasons for the procedure, the alternative treatments to the procedure, the risks of the procedure and that you have been given ample time to ask questions and are satisfied with those reasons and answers.

Risks

The general risks of surgery are discussed on the informed consent page. The risks specific to this procedure are discussed at www.voicedoctor.net/surgery/consentform/pitchconsent.html.

The procedure

The surgery is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. You may have sedation if desired. A one to two inch incision is placed parallel to or in a skin crease of your neck over the Adam’s Apple. Some of the protruding portion of the Adam’s Apple (thyroid cartilage) is removed and smoothed. This procedure is often done in conjunction with a Cricothyroid approximation. top

Recovery

There should be minimal discomfort from the procedure.

Instructions during healing

Keep the incision dry for at least 48 hours.