Surgical treatment of benign vocal fold lesions

The treatment of benign lesions of the vocal folds has undergone significant advances over the last 20 years. The widespread use of laryngovideostroboscopy has refined our diagnosis of these lesions. Concurrent awareness of vocal fold physiology has led to surgical techniques that attempt to minimize disruption to the complex microarchitecture of the vocal fold elucidated by Hirano in the hope of optimizing functional outcome. This article summarizes the principles of modern treatment of these lesions and highlights the major advances over the last 2 years. As our knowledge of vocal fold vibration and vocal fold healing after insult increases, and improvements in instrumentation occur, these techniques will continue to be refined.