Q. Can intubation for surgery damage your vocal cords and change your voice?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Intubation for surgery can, in rare cases, result in damage to the vocal cords and a change in voice. During intubation, an instrument called an endotracheal tube (ET tube) is passed through the patient’s mouth or nose into the trachea. The ET tube has a cuff which inflates slightly when inserted, to create a sealed airway. This holding of pressure on both sides of the vocal cords can lead to inflammation and swelling of them.
The incidence of significant laryngeal injury caused by intubations is estimated between 0.5-2 % as reported by multiple studies published in medical journals such as Anesthesiology and The American Journal of Surgery . Vocal cord injury results from direct trauma from the ET tube during insertion or may be due to prolonged contact with vocal cords that can impair their microcirculation leading to edema and subsequent scarring and stiffness. Most injuries are transient such as hoarseness, dysphonia or throat soreness that resolve within few weeks but sometimes permanent damage resulting in complete loss of voice is seen although this is quite rare
In conclusion it would appear that although there isn't necessarily any guaranteed risk associated with having surgery under general anesthesia involving endotracheal intubation complication where your voice could significantly change its tone or character do exist albeit rarely; so close consultation with your surgeon before undergoing intubation should always be recommended just incase any potential risks are discussed beforehand so you know what possible consequences may arise.
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