Abstract

Spastic dysphonia is a severe vocal disability in which the patient speaks with hyperadducted vocal folds. The resulting abnormality is characterized by excessively low pitch, vocal tremor, laryngospasms, and strain-strangle voice quality. Until recently the disorder was regarded as psychogenic and treated unsuccessfully with speech therapy and psychotherapy. New evidence supports the theory that the etiology is neurologic, requiring management designed to alter neurophysiologic function. Section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve provides immediate results and a new voice virtually free of the previous unpleasant characteristics.