Neck Circumference and Vocal Parameters in Women Before and After Bariatric Surgery

Obes Surg. 2016 Mar;26(3):576-80. doi: 10.1007/s11695-015-1785-5.

Abstract

Background: Morbidly obese patients may suffer from vocal disorders, as vocal production is directly related to the volume of the vocal tract, and the large-scale accumulation of fat in this region may interfere with voice production. The aim of this study was to analyze the neck circumference, fundamental frequency, and maximum phonation time of a group of morbidly obese women before and after bariatric surgery.

Methods: An observational, longitudinal, and descriptive study was performed with patients of the Obesity and Related Diseases Surgery Unit of a university hospital. A total of 21 morbidly obese women aged 28-68 years, with a mean age of 41.33 years, participated in the study. Neck circumference was measured using a tape measure. To obtain fundamental frequency values, the patient was asked to produce the vowel [a] at normal intensity and pitch for an average period of 3 s. After recording, the participants were asked to produce the sustained vowels [a], [i], and [u] at normal intensity and pitch, with a stopwatch used to measure maximum phonation time. Eight months after surgery, patients were reassessed using the same data collecting procedures as were carried out prior to surgery.

Results: After surgery, there was an increase in the average value of fundamental frequency and maximum phonation time for all the vowels and a reduction in neck circumference. The differences were statistically significant.

Conclusions: Weight reduction and a consequent decrease in neck circumference affected the changes in maximum phonation time and fundamental frequency values in the voices of these patients, after weight loss.

Keywords: Adipose tissue; Bariatric surgery; Morbid obesity; Voice.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bariatric Surgery*
  • Body Size
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck*
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications*
  • Obesity, Morbid / physiopathology
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery
  • Phonation / physiology
  • Voice / physiology