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Chondrolaryngoplasty in transgender women: Prospective analysis of voice and aesthetic satisfaction of 15 patients
  • Mateus Aires,
  • Bruno Moraes,
  • Daniela Vasconcelos
Mateus Aires
Hospital das Clinicas

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Bruno Moraes
Hospital das Clinicas
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Daniela Vasconcelos
Hospital das Clinicas
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Abstract

Key points: Chondrolaryngoplasty or “tracheal shaving” is cosmetic surgery to reduce the laryngeal prominence in transgender women. Chondrolaryngoplasty represents a challenge in seeking a balance between aesthetics and function: a very conservative resection of the thyroid cartilage may lead to aesthetic dissatisfaction, while excessive resection may destabilize the anterior commissure tendon, causing permanent vocal damage. This was the first study to assess fundamental frequency and GRBAS scale before and after the surgery and there was no permanent vocal change in any of the patients. The midpoint of the height of the thyroid cartilage was a simple, easy to perform and safe parameter to locate and preserve the anterior commissure. Smoothing the edges and flattening the residual laryngeal prominence with a 4 mm diamond burr enabled major remodeling without a temerarious resection. All 15 patients presented a positive variation in the visual analogue score for aesthetic satisfaction, with a mean improvement of 8.6 ± 1.9 out of 10. Chondrolaryngoplasty led to significant aesthetic satisfaction in transgender women. The surgery caused no vocal change.