Vocal Ligametry

In 1983, a report was made concerning experience with a technique of vocal ligament tightening in certain cases of dysphonia due to the ligament's stretching or lengthening. Since that time, efforts to measure the relative slackness or loss of tension of the vocal ligament have been partially successful. This report addresses the topics of consent forms; review of the local board of human procedures; and technical problems of instrument design, fabrication, and calibration. A large data base will be needed before true usefulness can be derived from these efforts. The author hopes to stimulate other workers in the field of phonosurgery to parallel these efforts and explore a field that is still relatively uncharted.