Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy (recurrent + laryngeal_nerve_palsy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


THYROIDECTOMY IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR RETROSTERNAL GOITRE

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2006
Ajay Chauhan
Background: Retrosternal goitre was defined as any thyroid enlargement identified below the thoracic inlet at operation, with the patient's neck held in extension. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the patients, the goitres, the surgery and its morbidity (including tracheomalacia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia) and the incidence of malignancy in order to establish guidelines for managing patients with a retrosternal goitre. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all thyroidectomies carried out by a single surgeon over 14 years. Patients underwent appropriate preoperative assessment and thyroidectomy was carried out using a standardized capsular dissection technique. There were 199 cases of retrosternal extension. Results: Retrosternal extension was significantly more common on the left side than on the right side (ratio 3:2, P < 0.05). Most patients (83.4%) had significant symptoms that were relieved by surgery. Of the 199 thyroidectomies, none required a sternal split. The rate of malignancy was low (2.5%). Postoperative morbidity was 30%, the majority being asymptomatic temporary hypocalcaemia. There were no patients with permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies or permanent hypoparathyroidism. There was one case of tracheomalacia. There was no death. Conclusion: Retrosternal goitre is a frequently symptomatic condition, with a low but definite rate of malignancy. Surgery is usually possible through a cervical incision and with an acceptable risk of significant morbidity. Thyroidectomy should be recommended as the treatment of choice. [source]


Endoluminal repair of distal aortic arch aneurysms causing aorto-vocal syndrome

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2008
J. P. Morales
Summary Purpose:, We have evaluated the efficacy of endovascular repair of distal aortic arch aneurysms (DAAA) causing recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Material and methods:, Eight patients (five male and three female) with median age of 72 years (range: 59,80) presented with left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy associated with DAAA. All patients were considered unfit for open surgery. The median aneurysm size was 5.9 cm (range: 5,7.3). Thirteen stents were deployed: eight Gore, four Endofit and one Talent. Epidural anaesthesia was used in all patients. The left subclavian artery was covered in all and the left common carotid in three who had a preliminary right to left carotid,carotid bypass. Routine follow-up (FU) was with computed tomography (CT) at 3,6 months and yearly thereafter. Results:, Exclusion of the aneurysm sac was achieved in all patients. Thirty-day mortality was 0%, with no paraplegia or stroke. Early complications included: rupture of the external iliac artery (one) and common femoral artery thrombectomy (one). One patient died of unknown cause at 17 months. The mean FU in the remaining seven patients was 21 months (range: 6,51). Aneurysm size decreased in five, was unchanged in one and increased in one. Three patients had improvement in voice quality postoperatively. One patient had a recurrent type 1 endoleak which was restented twice. No late deaths have occurred. Conclusion:, Though technically the procedures involved were more complicated, endovascular repair of DAAA causing aorto-vocal syndrome is safe and offers a realistic alternative to open surgery. Hoarseness of the voice can improve postoperatively and is associated with reduction in aortic sac diameter. [source]


Ultrasonography: Highly Accuracy Technique for Preoperative Localization of Parathyroid Adenoma,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2008
Bassam Abboud MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: This study evaluates the accuracy of ultrasonography in guided unilateral parathyroidectomy to treat primary hyperparathyroidism. Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Two hundred fifty-three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent preoperative ultrasonography. Two groups were defined. Group 1 included the patients in whom the preoperative cervical ultrasound localized one abnormal parathyroid gland; these patients underwent unilateral surgical exploration of the neck under local anesthesia. Group 2 included the patients who had a bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia when the preoperative examination was equivocal or failed to localize the lesion, when concomitant thyroid pathology indicated thyroidectomy, and when justified by the surgical findings. Results: Sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasonography in detecting abnormal parathyroid gland were 96% and 98%, respectively. Cervical ultrasound correctly identified, 96% and 85% of abnormal glands in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The presence of thyroid nodular disease did not affect ultrasonographic accuracy. Sonographic examination decreased the operative time of parathyroidectomy to an average of 15 minutes. Mediastinal and retroesophageal localizations of abnormal parathyroid gland adversely affected the accuracy of the ultrasound. No cervical hematoma was noted. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in four patients. Twenty-three patients required postoperative calcium supplementation for 2 to 4 months, and all were normocalcemic at follow-up. Conclusions: Cervical ultrasound is a reliable preoperative exploration allowing parathyroidectomy via unilateral approach under local anesthesia. [source]


Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 12 2009
Peter W. Hamer MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


THYROIDECTOMY IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR RETROSTERNAL GOITRE

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2006
Ajay Chauhan
Background: Retrosternal goitre was defined as any thyroid enlargement identified below the thoracic inlet at operation, with the patient's neck held in extension. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of the patients, the goitres, the surgery and its morbidity (including tracheomalacia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia) and the incidence of malignancy in order to establish guidelines for managing patients with a retrosternal goitre. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all thyroidectomies carried out by a single surgeon over 14 years. Patients underwent appropriate preoperative assessment and thyroidectomy was carried out using a standardized capsular dissection technique. There were 199 cases of retrosternal extension. Results: Retrosternal extension was significantly more common on the left side than on the right side (ratio 3:2, P < 0.05). Most patients (83.4%) had significant symptoms that were relieved by surgery. Of the 199 thyroidectomies, none required a sternal split. The rate of malignancy was low (2.5%). Postoperative morbidity was 30%, the majority being asymptomatic temporary hypocalcaemia. There were no patients with permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies or permanent hypoparathyroidism. There was one case of tracheomalacia. There was no death. Conclusion: Retrosternal goitre is a frequently symptomatic condition, with a low but definite rate of malignancy. Surgery is usually possible through a cervical incision and with an acceptable risk of significant morbidity. Thyroidectomy should be recommended as the treatment of choice. [source]


Quality monitoring in thyroid surgery using the Shewhart control chart,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2009
A. Duclos
Background: A control chart can help to interpret and reduce sources of variability in patient safety by continuously monitoring indicators. The aim of this study was to monitor the outcome of thyroid surgery using control charts. Methods: Patients who had thyroid surgery during 2006,2007 were included in the study. Safety was monitored based on postoperative complications of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia. Indicators were extracted prospectively from the hospital information system and plotted each month on a P-control chart. Performance of the surgical team was also measured retrospectively for 2004,2005 (baseline period) to compare surgical outcomes before and after control chart implementation. Electromyographic monitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerves was not used, nor was calcium or vitamin D given routinely. Results: The outcomes of 1114 thyroid procedures were monitored. Although the proportion of patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was similar for baseline and monitored periods (6·4 and 7·2 per cent respectively), there was a 35·3 per cent decrease in hypocalcaemia after implementation of control charts (P < 0·001). Complications almost doubled during a period when one surgeon was away and operating room renovations took place. Conclusion: Outcome monitoring in thyroid surgery using control charts is useful for identifying potential issues in patient safety. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Predictive factors for recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery

CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Y. Erbil
Objectives:, To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy. Design:, Retrospective case,control study. Setting:, Tertiary clinic. Participants:, From September 1990 to September 2005, 3250 consecutive patients who had a thyroidectomy for treatment of various thyroid diseases. Main outcome measures:, The rates of nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism were evaluated based on thyroid pathology, the choice of operative procedure, whether the nerve was identified, and the experience of the surgeon. Results:, Overall, the rate of nerve palsy was 1.8% and that of hypoparathyroidism was 6.6%. On univariate analysis the rates of complications were siginificantly higher in the patients who had an extended thyroidectomy, identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery, repeat surgery and patients older than 50 years of age. Complications were no commoner in operations performed by trainees under supervision than experienced surgeons. On multivariate analysis extended thyroidectomy had a 12 fold (95% CI 1.7, 92) increased risk of nerve palsy. Repeat surgery had a 3 fold (95% CI 2.1, 4.7) increased risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion:, Extentended thyroidectomy and repeat surgery had a significant effect on the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and postoperative hyperparathyroidism respectively following thyroid surgery. [source]