Calcium hydroxylapatite injection laryngoplasty for the treatment of presbylaryngis: long-term results.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Presbylaryngis is a normal part of the aging process, but many people visit hospitals with communication difficulties. The authors evaluated the efficacy of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injection laryngoplasty in patients with presbylaryngis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review.

METHODS: Thirty-three patients with diagnosed presbylaryngis were administered a CaHA injection, and 17 of these patients without other vocal pathologies were included in the analysis. All 17 were male (mean age 65.9 years), mean follow-up duration was 335 days, and all injections were performed through the cricothyroid membrane under local anesthesia in a clinic.

RESULTS: Subjective ratings, perceptual ratings, maximum phonation time, and closed quotients significantly improved after injection, and these improvements persisted without significant change for over 12 months. No major complications were encountered except for transient hematoma, pain, and a foreign body sensation.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that CaHA injection laryngoplasty offers an effective and safe means of treating presbylaryngis.