Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after thyroidectomy with routine identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) after thyroidectomy with routine identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during the operation.

METHODS:

The present study was confined to 521 patients, 348 total lobectomies and 178 total thyroidectomies, treated by the same surgeon. Temporary and permanent RLNP rates were analyzed for patient groups with stratification of primary operation for benign thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and reoperation. Measurement of the RLNP rate was based on the number of nerves at risk. Twenty-six RLNs in 20 thyroid cancer patients with intentional sacrifice were excluded from analysis.

RESULTS:

Forty RLNs (40 patients) developed postoperative RLNP. Complete recovery of RLN function was documented for 35 of the 37 patients (94.6%) whose RLN integrity had been ensured intraoperatively. Recovery from temporary RLNP ranged from 3 days to 4 months (mean, 30.7 days). Overall incidence of temporary and permanent RLNP was 5.1% and 0.9%, respectively. The rates of temporary/permanent RLNP were 4.0/0.2%, 2.0/0.7%, 12.0/1.1%, and 10.8/8.1% for groups classified according to benign thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and reoperation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Operations for thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and recurrent goiter demonstrated significantly higher RLNP rates. Invasion of RLN was identified in 19.4% of patients with thyroid cancer. Postoperatively, the RLN recovered in most of the patients without documented nerve damage during the operation. Total lobectomy with routine RLN identification is recommended as a basic procedure in thyroid operations.

• Authors: Feng-Yu Chiang, Ling-Feng Wang, Yin-Feng Huang, Ka-Wo Lee, Wen-Rei Kuo
• Journal: Surgery (Surgery) Vol. 137 Issue 3 Pg. 342-7 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0039-6060 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15746790 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Goiter (surgery)
• Graves Disease (surgery)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology)
• Recovery of Function
• Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (anatomy & histology)
• Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries
• Reoperation
• Risk Factors
• Thyroid Diseases (surgery)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (surgery)
• Thyroidectomy (adverse effects)
• Vocal Cord Paralysis (epidemiology, etiology)