Surgical versus non-surgical interventions for vocal cord nodules.

BACKGROUND:

Vocal cord nodules are bilateral swellings of the mid-portion of the membranous vocal folds. They are of variable size and are characterised histologically by thickening of the epithelium with a variable degree of inflammatory action in the underlying superficial lamina propria. They characteristically produce hoarseness. Treatment of vocal cord nodules aims to eliminate or reduce this hoarseness.

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effectiveness of surgery versus non-surgical interventions for vocal cord nodules.

SEARCH STRATEGY:

We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) and Medline (1966-2000), Embase (1974-2000), Biological Abstracts (1970-2000), Biological Abstracts RRM (Reports, Reviews and Meetings) on CD-ROM (1989-2000) and review articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing any surgical intervention for vocal cord nodules with non-surgical treatment or no treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

No suitable trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS:

No studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS:

There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatment of vocal cord nodules.