scholarly journals Neuromonitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Reduces the Rate of Bilateral Vocal Cord Dysfunction in Planned Bilateral Thyroid Procedures

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Constantin Smaxwil ◽  
Miriam Aleker ◽  
Julia Altmeier ◽  
Ali Naddaf ◽  
Mirjam Busch ◽  
...  

Purpose: Bilateral vocal cord dysfunction (bVCD) is a rare but feared complication of thyroid surgery. This long term retrospective study determined the effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroid surgeries with regard to the rate of bVCD and evaluated the frequency as well as the outcome of staged operations. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively documented data (2000–2019) of a tertiary referral centers’ database. IONM started in 2000 and, since 2010, discontinuation of surgery was encouraged in planned bilateral surgeries to prevent bVCD, if non-transient loss of signal (ntLOS) occurred on the first side. Datasets of the most recent 40-month-period were assessed in detail to determine the clinical outcome of unilateral ntLOS in planned bilateral thyroid procedures. Results: Of 22,573 patients, 65 had bVCD (0.288%). The rate of bVCD decreased from 0.44 prior to 2010 to 0.09% after 2010 (p < 0.001, Chi2). Case reviews of the most recent 40 months period identified ntLOS in 113/3115 patients (3.6%, 2.2% NAR), of which 40 ntLOS were recorded during a planned bilateral procedure (n = 952, 2.1% NAR). Of 21 ntLOS occurring on the first side of the bilateral procedure, 15 procedures were stopped, subtotal contralateral resections were performed, and thyroidectomy was continued in 3 patients respectively, with the use of continuous vagal IONM. Eighteen cases of VCD were documented postop, and all but one patient had a full recovery. Seven patients had staged resections after 1 to 18 months (median 4) after the first procedure. Conclusion: IONM facilitates reduced postoperative bVCD rates. IONM is, therefore, recommendable in planned bilateral procedures. The rate of non-complete bilateral surgery after intraoperative non-transient LOS was 2%.

1989 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 968-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Murty ◽  
M. C. F. Smith

AbstractThree cases of left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy following heart-lung transplantation are described. In each case, within twelve hours of extubation, the left vocal cord was injected with Teflon, and the paralyzed vocal cord thus displaced to the midline. Effective closure of the glottis was then possible, permitting an adequate cough, adequate clearing of the bronchial tree and minimising the risk of aspiration. Augmentation under general anaesthesia as soon as possible after discovery of vocal cord dysfunction is advocated. Suitable materials for injection are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported series of vocal cord augmentation in the acute phase following heart-lung transplantation.


1981 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 986-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Carpenter ◽  
G. Gordon Snyder ◽  
Julian L. Henley-Cohn

The experimental and clinical results of the surgical treatment of patients with spastic dysphonia by selective section of the adductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve are described. Experimental selective nerve section in dogs appears to retain cordal abduction during inspiration while producing a partial adductor paralysis. Selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve has been performed in four patients with 18- to 24-month follow-up. Speech results have been good with maintenance of partial vocal cord motion. No patient has experienced a return of spasticity. We theorize that selective nerve section may decrease the likelihood of the long-term failure that has been seen with complete nerve section by preventing medial fixation of the paralyzed vocal cord.


Swiss Surgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert ◽  
Mariéthoz ◽  
Pache ◽  
Bertin ◽  
Caulfield ◽  
...  

Objective: Approximately one out of five patients with Graves' disease (GD) undergoes a thyroidectomy after a mean period of 18 months of medical treatment. This retrospective and non-randomized study from a teaching hospital compares short- and long-term results of total (TT) and subtotal thyroidectomies (ST) for this disease. Methods: From 1987 to 1997, 94 patients were operated for GD. Thirty-three patients underwent a TT (mostly since 1993) and 61 a ST (keeping 4 to 8 grams of thyroid tissue - mean 6 g). All patients had received propylthiouracil and/or neo-mercazole and were in a euthyroid state at the time of surgery; they also took potassium iodide (lugol) for ten days before surgery. Results: There were no deaths. Transient hypocalcemia (< 3 months) occurred in 32 patients (15 TT and 17 ST) and persistent hypocalcemia in 8 having had TT. Two patients developed transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after ST (< 3 months). After a median follow-up period of seven years (1-15) with five patients lost to follow-up, 41 patients having had a ST are in a hypothyroid state (73%), thirteen are euthyroid (23%), and two suffered recurrent hyperthyroidism, requiring completion of thyroidectomy. All 33 patients having had TT - with follow-ups averaging two years (0.5-8) - are receiving thyroxin substitution. Conclusions: There were no instances of persistent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in either group, but persistent hypoparathyroidism occurred more frequently after TT. Long after ST, hypothyroidism developed in nearly three of four cases, whereas euthyroidy was maintained in only one-fourth; recurrent hyperthyroidy was rare.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-348
Author(s):  
Viktor Makarin ◽  
Anna Uspenskaya ◽  
Arseniy Semenov ◽  
Natalya Timofeeva ◽  
Roman Chernikov ◽  
...  

Laryngeal muscles paresis ranks second in prevalence of postoperative complications after thyroid surgery. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) results in reduction of cases with dysphonia and prevents such severe complication as bilateral paresis. Currently there are two types of monitoring: intermittent and continual. When using intermittent IONM surgeon has no opportunity to control electrophysiology state of RLN during intervals between stimulations. In case of continual IONM date on amplitude and latency are available to surgeon in real time every second, allowing him instantly react to any disturbance of neural transmission to prevent its damage by changing surgical manipulation. This work presents the first experience of using continual neuromonitoring of RLN in Russia, the procedure is described in details its safety. It is represented the possibility of prevention of bilateral laryngeal muscles paresis.


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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rirong Qu ◽  
Dehao Tu ◽  
Wei Ping ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Ni Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (RLNI) after esophagectomy on prognosis.Methods: Retrospectively collected data from 297 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent McKeown esophagectomy at our department from April 2014 to May 2018, were analyzed.Results: RLNI occurred in 31.9% of the patients. Left-side RLNI occurred 2.8 times more often than right-side RLNI. Among the cases in which assessment of the vocal cords was continued, 8.4% involved permanent injury. There were no significant differences among clinicopathological data between patients with RLNI and without. Compared with patients without RLNI,patients with RNLI have longer operation time,more number of bronchoscopy suctions, longer postoperation hospital stay, and higher incidence of postoperative complications. T stage, N stage, RLN LN metastasis were independent risk factors for the prognosis, but RLNI is not independent risk factors for long-term survival. Conclusion: RLNI is a serious complication that will affect the short-term prognosis of patients and reduce the quality of life of patients. It should be avoided as much as possible during surgery, but it may not have negative impact on the long-term survival.


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