scholarly journals Paralysis of the Right Vocal Cord following Injury to the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve

1912 ◽  
Vol 5 (Laryngol_Sect) ◽  
pp. 114-114
Author(s):  
Arthur Evans
PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Schumacher ◽  
Irvin J. Weinfeld ◽  
Robert H. Bartlett

Five cases of unilateral vocal cord paralysis/ paresis were diagnosed following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for newborn respiratory failure. All were right sided and transient in nature. None of the five patients had other findings commonly associated with vocal cord palsy. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure requires surgical dissection in the carotid sheath on the right side of the neck, an area immediately adjacent to both the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve. It is speculated that vocal cord paralysis in these infants was acquired as a result of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation. Although the vocal cord paralysis resolved in all cases, two patients had difficult courses after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Therefore, laryngoscopic examination should be considered for patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli ◽  
Alfredo Jorge Vasconcelos Duarte ◽  
Aline de Quadros Teixeira ◽  
Thiago Scharth Montenegro ◽  
Pedro Eder Portari Filho ◽  
...  

1989 ◽  
Vol 98 (11) ◽  
pp. 907-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Maniglia ◽  
Brian Dodds ◽  
M. B. Katirji ◽  
Kelly Sorensen ◽  
Mary L. Rosenbaum

This report analyzes the experience gained using two different techniques to reinnervate the paralyzed vocal cord. In the neurotization group, the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) motor branch–cricothyroid muscle pedicle was used to reinnervate the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. In the direct nerve anastomosis group, the SLN was anastomosed to the abductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and the ansa hypoglossi (AH) to the adductor branch of the RLN. A third group of animals (control) had the right RLN sectioned without any anastomosis. About 5 to 6 months postoperatively the animals were killed painlessly and evaluated. The neurotization group revealed vocal fold mobilization on the right side to have an average of about half of the mobility of the left, normal side. After the RLN and SLN on the left were severed as well as the AH bilaterally, the vocal cord mobility was reduced to about one fourth. The direct nerve anastomosis group showed about fourfold less vocal cord mobility than the neurotization group. After the SLN, RLN, and AH were severed bilaterally, the control group showed no vocal cord mobility. The neurotization technique has been selected for further experimentation in human adults.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 670
Author(s):  
Alison M. Thomas ◽  
Daniel K. Fahim ◽  
Jickssa M. Gemechu

Accurate knowledge of anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) provides information to prevent inadvertent intraoperative injury and ultimately guide best clinical and surgical practices. The present study aims to assess the potential anatomical variability of RLN pertaining to its course, branching pattern, and relationship to the inferior thyroid artery, which makes it vulnerable during surgical procedures of the neck. Fifty-five formalin-fixed cadavers were carefully dissected and examined, with the course of the RLN carefully evaluated and documented bilaterally. Our findings indicate that extra-laryngeal branches coming off the RLN on both the right and left side innervate the esophagus, trachea, and mainly intrinsic laryngeal muscles. On the right side, 89.1% of the cadavers demonstrated 2–5 extra-laryngeal branches. On the left, 74.6% of the cadavers demonstrated 2–3 extra-laryngeal branches. In relation to the inferior thyroid artery (ITA), 67.9% of right RLNs were located anteriorly, while 32.1% were located posteriorly. On the other hand, 32.1% of left RLNs were anterior to the ITA, while 67.9% were related posteriorly. On both sides, 3–5% of RLN crossed in between the branches of the ITA. Anatomical consideration of the variations in the course, branching pattern, and relationship of the RLNs is essential to minimize complications associated with surgical procedures of the neck, especially thyroidectomy and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. The information gained in this study emphasizes the need to preferentially utilize left-sided approaches for ACDF surgery whenever possible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3469
Author(s):  
Shah Urvin Manish ◽  
Boopathi Subbarayan ◽  
Saravanakumar Subbaraj ◽  
Tirou Aroul Tirougnanassambandamourty ◽  
S. Robinson Smile

The incidence of Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is reported to be 0.6%-0.8% on the right side and in 0.004% on the left side. Damage to this nerve during thyroidectomy may lead to vocal cord complications and should therefore be prevented. A middle-aged woman with a nodular goiter who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular colloid goiter. We encountered a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right side in a patient during surgery. We were not able to find the inferior laryngeal nerve in its usual position using the customary anatomical landmarks. Instead, it was emerging directly from the right vagus nerve at a right angle and entering the larynx as a unique non-bifurcating nerve. Nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve incidence is very rare, but when present, increases the risk of damage during thyroidectomy. Hence, it is very important to be aware of the anatomical variations of the inguinal lymph node (ILN) and the use of safe meticulous dissection while looking for the nerve during thyroidectomy. The use of Intra-operative neuro-monitoring (IONM) if available in thyroid surgery allows the surgeon to recognize and differentiate branches of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) from sympathetic anastomoses, as well as NRLN during surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
X Wu ◽  
X Gan ◽  
Q Cao

Abstract   Mediastinal lymphadenectomy is a crucial part of minimally invasive esophagectomy, and requires transthoracic operation, which is a crucial independent risk factor for the incidence of pulmonary complications. Conventionally, non-transthoracic esophagectomy was often achieved by mediastinoscope-assisted laparoscopic transhiatal surgery. Because of the small space, the lymphadenectomy could be only performed partially under mediastinoscope in upper mediastinal. We propose a new approach of lymphadenectomy along bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve under mediastinoscopy through one left-neck incision. Methods A 3-cm incision paralleling the clavicle was made at 2-cm from the supraclavicular region in the left neck. After established pneumomediastinum (10-12 mmHg carbon dioxide), esophagectomy begins to perform over the aortic arch to the level of lower edge of the left main bronchus, and the lymphadenectomy along the left RLN has also accomplished during this process. At the level of lower edge of the right subclavian artery (RSA), between the trachea and the esophagus, the instruments could get accessed to the right RLN. The lymphadenectomy could get accomplished up to 2-cm at the upper edge of the RSA. Results The mean age of 56 esophageal squamous cell cancer patients was 67.4 years, 46 males and 10 females. Tumor location: middle thoracic, 31 patients, lower thoracic, 23 patients. Preoperative TNM staging: T1b was 10 cases, T2 was 35 cases, and T3 was 11 cases. The median number of mediastinal LNs removed was 17 (9 to 23); 6 (2 to 9) along the left RLN; 3 (1 to 6) along the right RLN. 7 patients (12.5%) developed RLN palsy. Postoperative laryngoscopy showed that all of the 7 RLN palsy were left side, none of them appeared at 3 months postoperation. Conclusion This approach enables the lymphadenectomy along bilateral RLN through one left neck incision. During the operation, the upper mediastinal LNs along the bilateral RLN were clearly revealed and en bloc excised. Meanwhile, the bilateral RLN were fully exposed and protected during the procedure. Compared with the previous surgical methods,this procedure is less invasive, and the bilateral RLN could be exposed much clearer. It would provide a novel approach for the minimally invasive esophagectomy, especially lymphadenectomy.


ASVIDE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 208-208
Author(s):  
Xiangfeng Gan ◽  
Hongcheng Zhong ◽  
Xiaojian Li ◽  
Xiaojin Wang ◽  
Wenwen Huo ◽  
...  

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 2249-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Holmes ◽  
J. E. Remmers

Pulmonary vascular congestion or pulmonary embolism in humans produces shallow tachypnea, and indirect experimental evidence suggests that this characteristic breathing pattern may result from activation of vagal unmyelinated afferents from the lung. We have investigated, in decerebrate cats, reflex changes in breathing pattern and in the activation of the diaphragm, posterior cricoarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles caused by activating C-fiber afferents in the vagus nerve. The right vagus nerve was sectioned distal to the origin of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, eliminating vagal afferent traffic although preserving motor innervation of the larynx on that side. The left cervical vagus was stimulated electrically, and efferent activation of the laryngeal muscles was avoided by cutting the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Transmission to the brain of vagal afferent traffic resulting from this stimulation was controlled by graded cold block of the nerve cranial to the site of application of the stimulus. Activation of C-fibers, when A-fibers were blocked, significantly decreased respiratory period and amplitude of diaphragm inspiratory burst. In addition, this selective activation of vagal C-fibers augmented postinspiratory activity of the diaphragm and recruited phasic expiratory bursts in the thyroarytenoid. We conclude that, in unanesthetized decerebrate cats, afferent traffic of vagal C-fibers initiates a pontomedullary reflex that increases respiratory frequency, decreases tidal volume, and augments braking of expiratory airflow.


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