Type I thyroplasty for acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis following intrathoracic surgery.

Abstract

Patients who undergo intrathoracic operative procedures for malignancy may require sacrifice of a recurrent laryngeal nerve. Postoperative vocal fold paralysis may lead to diminished cough with secretion retention, aspiration, and life-endangering pneumonia. This study retrospectively reviews our institution's experience of 23 patients who underwent type I thyroplasty within the 2-week (acute) period after thoracic surgery. Primary lung cancer (n = 16) was the most common disease. Upper lobectomy (n = 9) and pneumonectomy (n = 7) were the most frequent surgical procedures. Silicone medialization alone (n = 11) or with arytenoid adduction (n = 12) was performed. There were no significant postoperative complications. Improvements in hoarseness (86%), dyspnea (72%), dysphagia (50%), and aspiration (79%) were noted. Pulmonary status improved after vocal fold medialization, as reflected by decreased need for therapeutic bronchoscopy in the majority of patients in the postoperative period. Type I thyroplasty for vocal fold paralysis in the acute phase following thoracic surgery is well tolerated and is associated with improved patient outcome with no postoperative deaths in this high-risk patient population.

• Authors: Manoj T Abraham, Manjit S Bains, Robert J Downey, Robert J Korst, Dennis H Kraus
• Journal: The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology (Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol) Vol. 111 Issue 8 Pg. 667-71 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 0003-4894 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12184585 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Arytenoid Cartilage (surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (etiology, surgery)
• Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (surgery)
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroid Cartilage (surgery)
• Vocal Cord Paralysis (etiology, surgery)