Male to female (MTF) voice changing surgery, also known as feminization laryngoplasty or voice feminization surgery, encompasses surgical procedures designed to raise the pitch and modify other characteristics of a male voice to sound more feminine. This aims to help transgender women and other individuals whose voices don't align with their gender identity.
How Does MTF Voice Feminization Surgery Work?
The core principle of these surgeries involves altering the vocal cords, typically to make them shorter, thinner, or tighter, resulting in a higher-pitched voice. Surgeons generally access the larynx (voice box) through the mouth using an endoscope, minimizing external scarring.
Common Surgical Techniques:
While specific techniques may vary depending on the surgeon and the individual's vocal anatomy, some common methods include:
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Wendler Glottoplasty: This technique involves suturing the anterior portion of the vocal cords together, effectively shortening them. This shortens the vibrating part of the vocal cords.
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Vocal Fold Shortening and Retrodisplacement of the Anterior Commissure: This technique involves shortening the vocal cords by excising a portion of the anterior commissure (where the vocal cords meet at the front) and repositioning it backward.
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Cricothyroid Approximation: This procedure tightens the vocal cords by bringing the cricoid and thyroid cartilages closer together, increasing vocal fold tension and thus pitch. This is sometimes performed but is generally reserved for very specific cases due to its potential for complications.
Potential Side Effects and Risks:
Like any surgical procedure, voice feminization surgery carries potential risks and side effects. These can include:
- Sore throat, tongue, or jaw: These are common and usually temporary following the procedure.
- Voice hoarseness or breathiness: The voice may sound hoarse or airy, especially in the initial healing stages.
- Swallowing difficulties: Difficulty swallowing can occur but usually resolves over time.
- Scarring: Although surgeons typically use endoscopic techniques to minimize external scarring, internal scarring is possible.
- Under- or over-correction of pitch: The resulting voice pitch might not be exactly what the patient desires.
- Voice fatigue: The voice may become tired more easily than before surgery.
- Voice instability
- Rare but possible permanent voice damage.
Important Considerations:
- Voice Therapy: Speech therapy is often recommended before and after surgery. Pre-operative therapy helps patients learn techniques to feminize their voice, which can enhance the surgical outcome. Post-operative therapy is crucial for optimizing vocal function and achieving the desired vocal characteristics.
- Realistic Expectations: It's important to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery. While surgery can significantly raise the pitch of the voice, achieving a fully feminine-sounding voice often requires ongoing effort and voice training.
- Surgeon Selection: Choosing a surgeon with extensive experience in voice feminization surgery is crucial to minimize risks and maximize the chances of a successful outcome.
