Objective and Subjective Evaluations of the Effects of Different Types of Intubation Tube Applications on Voice Performance in the Early Postoperative Period

Abstract

Objective Changes in voice performance in the postoperative period due to trauma suffered during endotracheal intubation or edema occurring in the postoperative period are often observed. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types of intubation tube applications on voice performance in the early postoperative period using objective and subjective voice analysis methods. Materials and Methods A total of 88 patients who underwent endotracheal intubation either using a cuffed endotracheal (n = 44) or spiral-embedded cuffed endotracheal (n = 44) tube were included in this study. An endotracheal tube of 7.5 mm was used for female patients and that of 8 mm was used for male patients. Preoperative acoustic voice analysis was performed, and fundamental frequency (F0), jitter%, and shimmer% values were recorded. In addition, the voice handicap index-30 (VHI-30) questionnaire was completed by the patients for subjective evaluation. The same procedure was repeated in the first 48 hours postoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative data were statistically compared. In addition, the effect of the type of endotracheal intubation tube on acoustic voice analysis parameters and VHI-30 scores was statistically evaluated. Results In the early postoperative period, a significant decrease in the FO value and a significant increase in jitter% and shimmer% values were detected. The VHI-30 score was also found to be significantly higher in the early postoperative period than in the preoperative period. The effects of both the intubation tubes on voice performance were found to be similar. Conclusion Objective and subjective evaluations revealed that voice performance was declined in the early postoperative period after orotracheal intubation.