Evaluating Interventions for Sulcus Vocalis or Vocal Fold Scar: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Sulcus vocalis reflects varying degrees of vocal cord lamina propria (LP) damage. Many interventions have been discussed in the literature for addressing sulcus vocalis, but there is no universally accepted gold standard for its management. Aim We aim in our study to collectively evaluate the effectiveness of different relevant interventions in the literature used for sulcus vocalis or vocal fold scar. Methods We searched five electronic databases to collect all relevant studies. Records were screened for eligibility. Data were extracted from the included studies independently. Our continuous outcomes were pooled in our single-arm meta-analysis as mean change (MC) and with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Our systematic review and meta-analysis included 43 studies encompassing 1302 patients. The jitter parameter indicated that laser degeneration and LP regeneration/scar degradation led to the highest improvements compared to their baseline, with pooled MC of −0.897 and −0.893, respectively. Graft interposition showed a MC of −0.848, while medialization and dissection had less pronounced changes at −0.200. Shimmer parameter results were similar, with medialization and laser degeneration leading to MC of −2.129 and −2.123, while LP regeneration/scar degradation and graft interposition showed smaller changes MC −1.530 and −1.217. For the noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) parameter, LP regeneration/scar degradation demonstrated MC = −0.028. In aerodynamics outcomes, graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation showed the highest MCs in mean phonatory time (MPT) (4.214 and 3.467, respectively). Endoscopic outcomes for mucosal wave showed high improvements in medialization and graft interposition (MC = 10.40 and 10.18, respectively). Perceptual outcomes favored graft interposition in various parameters, while laser degeneration performed well in most categories. Graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation had a high voice handicap index (VHI) (MC = −27.195 and −19.269, respectively). Conclusion Laser degeneration and LP regeneration/scar degradation were particularly effective in improving acoustic parameters. In aerodynamics, graft interposition and LP regeneration/scar degradation improved vocal efficiency compared to their baselines. Medialization and laser degeneration had the largest impact compared to their baseline on shimmer and MPT. Endoscopic assessments showed that medialization and graft interposition had high improvement in mucosal waves, and perceptual outcomes were generally high with graft interposition and laser degeneration.