LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX AS A DETERMINANT OF POSTOPERATIVE HEALING AFTER ENDOLARYNGEAL MICROSURGERY: A CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is an important factor affecting laryngeal mucosal integrity and may impair postoperative healing. Objective: To evaluate the effect of postoperative LPR treatment on wound healing and acoustic voice outcomes following endolaryngeal microsurgery (EM). Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing EM were divided into LPR-treated and untreated groups. Serial videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS) and acoustic analyses were performed over a 6-month follow-up period. Results: The LPR-treated group demonstrated significantly faster recovery of vocal fold symmetry and mucosal wave propagation. Jitter and shimmer decreased, while harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Postoperative LPR management significantly enhances both structural and functional recovery following EM.