High-pitched voice may cause social and professional embarrassment, particularly if it occurs in men. This disorder may be organic and/or functional. Mutational falsetto (puberphonia) is the most common functional cause and is primarily treated with phonotherapy. However, when results of this therapy are limited, surgery may turn to be a convenient and effective alternative to treat these patients. In this study, we present 2 male patients (34 and 35 years old) with high-pitched voices, who failed phonotherapy and who were successfully treated with Isshiki type III thyroplasty. Medical history of the patients, surgical techniques, pre and post-operative laringostroboscopies and outcomes are presented in detail. We conclude that Isshiki type III thyroplasty is an efficient, simple to perform and low-risk procedure that may be used in selected patients with high-pitched voice.
voice disorders; surgery; human
