PURPOSE: Chondrolaryngoplasty, or tracheal shave, is a consistent facet of facial feminization surgery (FFS). This procedure involves debulking of the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage. The present study describes technical aspects of performing this surgery safely and investigates the outcomes and complications of this procedure.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patient records was conducted to assess the outcomes of chondrolaryngoplasty performed at our center. Vital intraoperative measures for ensuring patient safety were identified.
RESULTS: Over five years, 31 patients underwent chondrolaryngoplasty. One patient reported a noticeable scar 81 days post-surgery. None of the patients noted hoarseness, altered vocal tonality, or other subjective postoperative symptoms. There were no instances of postoperative infections, wound separation, or surgical site complications. Only one patient underwent chondrolaryngoplasty as a standalone procedure; the remainder received it in conjunction with other FFS. The key safety measures include precise identification of the thyroid cartilage, intraoperative pinpointing of the true vocal cord location both before and after cartilage reduction using endoscopy, and excising the thyroid cartilage sub-perichondrially rather than supra-perichondrially. A layered closure is recommended for optimal scar healing.
CONCLUSION: Chondrolaryngoplasty is a reliable and safe procedure in facial feminization. Through meticulous endoscopic assessment and precise dissection, it offers significant feminizing outcomes with minimal associated risks.
