Key words: videolaryngostroboscopy, MPT, estrogen, observer agreement, intubation, vocal cords

"Concerning Assumptions in Laryngology"

Assumptions in laryngology triggered research on the following subjects: Maximum phonation time is a frequently used measure in voice assessment. The results of a reliability study in dysphonic subjects compared with control subjects are presented. Clinicians apply videolaryngostroboscopy in daily practice, using many visuoperceptual variables to describe vocal fold functioning and the vibratory pattern. A study evaluates the levels of intraobserver and interobserver agreement for these variables and compared the observers’ behaviour during independent versus consensus panel rating. The human female voice changes in quality during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not clearly known yet. The study evaluates the existence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the female human vocal fold. The widespread belief that routine short-term endotracheal intubation leads to postoperative hoarseness and vocal cord injury was addressed in a systematic review. Following these findings, a prospective study was set up to obtain the prevalence of vocal fold injury following short‐term routine anaesthesia using an endotracheal tube or supraglottic airway in adults.

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