Secuelas post SARS-CoV-2 en laringe de pacientes atendidos en una clínica de Guanare, Venezuela. Período mayo-agosto 2023 Post SARS-CoV-2 in the larynx of patients treated at a clinic in Guanare, Venezuela. Period may-august 2023

The high global frequency of laryngeal sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection, which significantly impacts patients' quality of life and phonatory function, constitutes a relevant public health problem. In Venezuela, there are limited epidemiological records on laryngeal sequelae in patients who have recovered from the infection. The objective of this study was to determine the post-SARS-CoV-2 laryngeal sequelae in patients treated at a clinic in Venezuela. A cross-sectional, descriptive, field study was conducted on a sample of 104 patients with persistent laryngeal symptoms (>3 months) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The diagnosis of laryngeal sequelae was made using videolaryngoscopy. The overall frequency of laryngeal sequelae was 100% in symptomatic patients. Type I laryngeal hyperfunction was the most frequent sequela (64%), followed by laryngitis (17%), localized edema (12%), vocal nodules (4%), and Reinke's edema (3%). Dysphonia was the predominant symptom (36%). The study sample was predominantly female (62%) and engaged in occupations with intensive voice use (64%). In conclusion, a high frequency of type I laryngeal hyperfunction was identified as the predominant sequela in the studied population. These findings highlight the need to implement systematic laryngeal evaluation programs in post-COVID-19 patients in Venezuela for timely diagnosis and treatment.