Septorhinoplasty With Spreader Grafts Enhances Perceived Voice Quality Without Affecting Acoustic Characteristics

Objective To identify the effect of septorhinoplasty with spreader grafts on patients’ perception of voice and to measure formant frequencies that may be responsible for perceived changes in voice quality. Methods A total of 20 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty and had spreader grafts placed during the operations were included. All subjects were tested within the week before surgery and 1–3 months postoperatively by means of perceptual assessment (Voice Handicap Index-10 [VHI-10] and self-assessment of hypo/hypernasality), acoustic analysis, and formant frequency analysis. Results The mean of VHI-10 score was decreased from 9.44آ آ±آ 6.1 to 5.1آ آ±آ 3.94 postoperatively (Pآ =آ 0.03). Fifteen patients (75%) perceived their voices to be hyponasal before surgery, but only three perceived the hyponasality to persist after surgery (Pآ آ 0.05). Conclusion Septorhinoplasty with spreader grafts significantly improved patients’ perception of voice; however, acoustic analysis and formant frequency analysis of nasalized vowels did not reveal any significant differences after the operation.