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Voice Feminization Surgery

Treatment Details

Surgery duration: 2-3 hours
Surgical Method: Endoscopic
Anesthesia: General Anesthesia
Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge (after 4 hours)
When to return to work: Day 5
Full Recovery Period: 3-6 months
Permanence: Lifelong

Voice feminization surgeries are not routine vocal cord procedures. Therefore, they must be performed by an ENT specialist experienced in voice disorders and surgery. Otherwise, they may lead to irreparable complications.

Cricothyroid Approximation, also known as Isshiki Type 4 Thyroplasty, fundamentally increases the tension of the vocal cords by placing a suture between the cartilages to which they are attached. This results in a higher-pitched and finer voice. It can be performed under both general and local anesthesia. Laser-Assisted Voice Adjustment (LAVA), on the other hand, is performed under general anesthesia with the aid of a laser. The procedure is based on the principle of reducing the volume of the vocal cords through the mouth. It is frequently preferred for revision voice feminization surgeries.

Recovery After Voice Feminization Surgery

Voice feminization surgery is a procedure where patients typically require minimal pain medication and can be discharged on the same day. Complete voice rest is recommended for 1 week post-surgery. Post-operative voice therapy support is essential. Patients usually achieve their desired voice within 3-5 months.

Voice feminization surgeries are not ordinary vocal cord surgeries. Therefore, they should be performed by an ENT specialist experienced in voice disorders and surgery. Otherwise, they can cause irreparable problems.