Use of the laryngeal mask airway during ophthalmic surgery results in stable circulation and few complications: a prospective audit

Background: This study was performed to investigate airway complications related to Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) use in a selected group of paediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.
Methods: Ninety-four paediatric patients were enrolled. LMA was inserted under deep general anaesthesia with the standard technique previously described by Brain. Complications during induction, insertion of the LMA, maintenance of anaesthesia, removal of the LMA, emergence and on the first postoperative day were recorded. Failure of insertion, desaturation, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, vomiting, bucking, dislocation of the LMA, breath-holding, and coughing were noted.
Results: There was no significant age-related difference in successful insertion ratio of the LMA. In two patients (2%), the LMA could not be inserted with three attempts and tracheal intubation was performed. Laryngospasm was recorded in three patients (3%), leading to desaturation in two patients (SaO₂95%) during insertion of the LMA. During maintenance of anaesthesia bucking occurred in one patient (1%). After removal of the LMA, incidence of early desaturation following upper airway suctioning was higher in patients with a history of frequent upper respiratory tract infection ( P <0.01). Five patients (5%) had laryngospasm following the LMA removal; breath-holding and coughing were noted in 21 (22%) patients. Circulatory reactions to insertion and removal of the LMA were minimal. The incidence of sore throat on the first postoperative day was only 1%.
Conclusion: LMA can be regarded as a safe product for airway maintenance during ophthalmic surgery with a stable circulation and few complications.     

Abductor vocal cord spasm

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to introduce a new phenomenon--abductor vocal cord spasm, or abductor laryngospasm. Second, to reconcile a longstanding discrepancy involving the effect of lung inflation on vocal cord position. Abductor laryngospasm was induced in six anesthetized, tracheotomized dogs by the administration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) after occlusion of the trachea for 60 seconds. Abductor laryngospasm was characterized by sustained vocal cord abduction with concomitant massive, continuous posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (PCA) electromyography (EMG) activity and little or no laryngeal adductor muscle EMG activity. Vocal cord opening was sustained for up to 90 seconds. In the same dogs, administration of CPAP, after hyperventilation of the animal, resulted in adductor laryngospasm. Adductor laryngospasm was characterized by steady apposition of the vocal cords, massive laryngeal adductor muscle EMG activity, and silent PCA EMG activity. Abductor laryngospasm appears to be the physiologic converse of adductor laryngospasm. The results of this study show that lung inflation can produce either vocal cord abduction or adduction, depending on whether the dog is hypoventilated or hyperventilated before administration of CPAP.     

Do Children Who Experience Laryngospasm Have an Increased Risk of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection?

Background: Laryngospasm is the most frequently reported respiratory complication associated with upper respiratory infection and general anesthesia in retrospective studies, but prospective studies have failed to demonstrate any increase in risk.

Methods: A case-control study was performed to examine whether children with laryngospasm were more likely to have an upper respiratory infection on the day of surgery. The parents of all patients (N = 15,183) who were admitted through the day surgery unit were asked if their child had an active or recent (within 2 weeks of surgery) upper respiratory infection and were questioned about specific signs and symptoms to determine if the child met Tait and Knight's definition of an upper respiratory infection. Control subjects were randomly selected from patients whose surgery had occurred within 1 day of the laryngospasm event.

Results: Patients who developed laryngospasm (N = 123) were 2.05 times (95% confidence interval 1.21-3.45) more likely to have an active upper respiratory infection as defined by their parents than the 492 patients in the control group (P less or equal to 0.01). The development of laryngospasm was not related to Tait and Knight's definition for an upper respiratory infection or to recent upper respiratory infection. Children with laryngospasm were more likely to be younger (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.87-0.99), to be scheduled for airway surgery (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.21-3.59), and to have their anesthesia supervised by a less experienced anesthesiologist (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.7) than children in the control group.     

CO2 laser treatment of supraglottic cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic CO(2) laser microsurgery in the management of supraglottic cancer. METHODS: One hundred twenty-four patients (116 men and eight women; mean age, 59 years; range 31-81 years) with supraglottic cancer underwent CO(2) laser surgery (mean follow-up 5 years). The study patients were classified as follows: 45 patients, T1N0M0; 61 patients, T2N0M0; and 18 patients, T3N0M0. According to the staging, the following procedures were adopted: epiglottectomy, resection of aryepiglottic fold or false vocal cord in T1 patients (group A); resection of the false vocal cord and adjacent structures in T2 patients (group B); and supraglottic laryngectomy in T3 patients (group C). Statistical comparison of survival parameters was carried out with Wilcoxon test, considering p <.05 the minimum significance value. RESULTS: Overall actuarial survival, adjusted actuarial survival, and no evidence of disease at 5 years were 91%, 97%, and 82% in group A; 88%, 94%, and 59% in group B; and 81%, 81%, and 51% in group C, respectively. The statistical analysis of survival parameters showed a significant difference in the comparison of T1 versus T2 and T2 versus T3 tumors (p <.01). Actuarial local control, actuarial nodal control, and actuarial distant metastasis control at 5 years were 82%, 82%, and 100% in T1 patients; 63%, 90%, and 98% in T2 patients; and 77%, 75%, and 93% in T3 patients. Laryngeal preservation rate was 88.6% in T1 patients, 85.4% in T2 patients, and 93.7% in T3 patients. Patients in groups A and B were discharged after 3 to 12 days, and patients in group C, were discharged after 14 to 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that endoscopic CO(2) laser surgery is highly effective in the treatment of T1 and T2 supraglottic cancer. In T3 cancer, the CO(2) laser should be implemented in those cases where radical excision by endoscopic route is feasible.     

Morbidity of prophylactic lymph node dissection in the central neck area in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

The benefits of prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have not been clearly demonstrated so far and should be weighed against the potential risks of the procedure. The aim of the study was to assess the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid risks of PCND after total thyroidectomy in patients with PTC and to compare the results with those obtained in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy only. Methods: We selected 100 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy: 50 for nontoxic benign multinodular goiter (Group 1) and 50 for PTC (Group 2). Patients with PTC had no evidence of macroscopic lymph node invasion during surgery and underwent, in addition to the total thyroidectomy, a PCND. All of the 100 patients were operated on by two experienced endocrine surgeons. All patients had pre- and postoperative investigations of vocal cord movements. Calcemia and phosphoremia were systematically evaluated preoperatively and on day 1 and day 2 after surgery. All patients presenting a postoperative calcemia below 1.90 mmol/l were considered to present an early postoperative hypoparathyroidism and received calcium-vitamin D therapy. The hypoparathyroidism was considered permanent when calcium-vitamin D therapy was still necessary 1 year after surgery. Results: None of the patients presented permanent nerve palsy. There were three cases of transient nerve palsy (6%) in Group 1 and two (4%) in Group 2. In Group 1 there was no permanent hypoparathyroidism and four cases of transient hypoparathyroidism (8%). In Group 2, seven patients presented transient hypoparathyroidism (14%) and two patients (4%) remained with definitive hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion: After total thyroidectomy for PTC, PCND does not increase recurrent laryngeal nerve morbidity but it is responsible for a high rate of hypoparathyroidism, especially in the early postoperative course. Even taking into account the possible benefits, the results make it difficult to advocate PCND as a routine procedure in all patients presenting a PTC. Received: 27 January 1998     

Analysis of failed discharge after ambulatory surgery: unanticipated admission

Background: Advantages of ambulatory surgery are lost when patients need an unplanned admission. This retrospective cohort study investigated reasons for failed discharge and unanticipated admission of adult patients after day surgery.

Methods: Ambulatory patients (n?=?145) requiring unanticipated admission were compared to patients (n?=?4980) not requiring admission and timely discharged from a total of 5156 ambulatory surgical procedures. Demographic data, organisational data, reason for admission, type of anesthesia, surgical discipline, length of procedure, ASA classification, surgical completion time and severity of illness score were collected from both groups. Reason for admission was classified according to four subtypes. Logistic regression analysis was used.

Results: Incidence of unanticipated admission following day care surgery was 2.89%. The reasons for admission were mainly organisational issues (45.52%), time of completion surgery in the afternoon between 12?pm and 3?pm (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.05–2.86) and surgery that ends after 3?pm (OR 6.52; 95% CI 4.11–10.34). Surgical factors associated with unanticipated admission (38.62%) were length of surgery of one to three hours (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.27–3.29), length of surgery more than three hours (OR 8.31; 95% CI 3.56–19.40). Additionally, anaesthetic (10.34%) and medical (5.52%) reasons were found, e.g. ASA class II (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.06–2.44), ASA class III (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.10–4.34); moderate severity of illness score (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.03–2.88) and major of severity of illness score (OR 7.85; 95% CI 2.31–26.62).

Conclusions: Unanticipated admissions following day surgery occur mainly due to social/organisational and surgical reasons. However, medical and anaesthetic reasons also explain 15.86% of the unanticipated admissions.     

A Randomized Prospective Study of Complications Between General Surgery Residents and Attending Surgeons in Near-Total Thyroidectomies

Purpose Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism are the most common and serious complications after thyroid operations. Surgeon experience has been defined as a significant factor in the number of complications occurring in thyroid surgery. There has so far been no prospective randomized study that compares the complication rates between residents and the attending surgeon in statistically similar patient groups in which all of the patients undergo the same type of thyroid surgery by the same surgical team. In this prospective study the performances of residents and attending surgeons were evaluated and compared according to the complication rates in near-total thyroidectomies.Methods One hundred and fifty-two patients underwent near-total thyroidectomies between April 2001 and May 2003. The number of randomly selected patients operated on by residents at the level of postgraduate year two, under the direct supervision of an attending surgeon, and the number of patients operated on by attending surgeons were 78 and 74, respectively. All patients had preoperative and postoperative videolaryngostroboscopic examinations of the vocal cords and serum calcium level evaluation.Results The rates of temporary vocal cord paralysis with respect to the nerves at risk for residents and attending surgeons were 3.7% and 2.7%, respectively. The temporary hypoparathyroidism rate was 8.1% for attending surgeons, whereas it was found to be 6.4% for residents. Neither any cases of permanent vocal cord paralysis nor permanent hypoparathyroidism were detected.Conclusion Our results indicate that the complication rates in near-total thyroidectomies performed by residents and attending surgeons are similar. Thyroid surgery can therefore be safely and effectively performed by residents under close supervision.     

Frequency of transient ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Especially because of improvements in clinical neurologic monitoring, carotid endarterectomy done under local anesthesia has become the technique of choice in several centers. Temporary ipsilateral vocal nerve palsies due to local anesthetics have been described, however. Such complications are most important in situations where there is a pre-existing contralateral paralysis. We therefore examined the effect of local anesthesia on vocal cord function to better understand its possible consequences. METHODS: This prospective study included 28 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia. Vocal cord function was evaluated before, during, and after surgery (postoperative day 1) using flexible laryngoscopy. Anesthesia was performed by injecting 20 to 40 mL of a mixture of long-acting (ropivacaine) and short-acting (prilocaine) anesthetic. RESULTS: All patients had normal vocal cord function preoperatively. Twelve patients (43%) were found to have intraoperative ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis. It resolved in all cases < or =24 hours. There were no significant differences in operating time or volume or frequency of anesthetic administration in patients with temporary vocal cord paralysis compared with those without. CONCLUSION: Local anesthesia led to temporary ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis in almost half of these patients. Because pre-existing paralysis is of a relevant frequency (up to 3%), a preoperative evaluation of vocal cord function before carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia is recommended to avoid intraoperative bilateral paralysis. In patients with preoperative contralateral vocal cord paralysis, surgery under general anesthesia should be considered.     

Understanding mortality rates after hip fracture repair using ASA physical status in the National Hip Fracture Database

Hip fracture is the most common reason for older patients to need emergency anaesthesia and surgery. Up to one‐third of patients die in the year after hip fracture, but this view of outcome may encourage therapeutic nihilism in peri‐operative decisions and discussions. We used a multicentre national dataset to examine relative and absolute mortality rates for patients presenting with hip fracture, stratified by ASA physical status. We analysed ASA physical status, dates of surgery, death and hospital discharge for 59,369 out of 64,864 patients in the 2015 National Hip Fracture Database; 3914 (6.6%) of whom died in hospital. Rates of death in hospital were 1.8% in ASA 1–2 patients compared with 16.5% in ASA 4 patients. Survival rates for ASA 4 patients on each of the first three postoperative days were: 98.8%, 99.1% and 99.1% (compared with figures of > 99.9% in ASA 1–2 patients over these days). Survival on postoperative day 6 was 99.4% for ASA 4 patients. Nearly half (48.6%) of the 1427 patients who did not have surgery died in hospital. Although technically sound, a focus on cumulative and relative risk of mortality may frame discussions in an unduly negative fashion, discouraging surgeons and anaesthetists from offering an operation, and deterring patients and their loved ones from agreeing to it. A more optimistic and pragmatic explanation that over 98% of ASA 4 patients survive both the day of surgery and the day after it, may be more appropriate.     

内镜下微创外科技术在声带疾病的临床应用

目的探讨经内镜支撑喉镜下微创外科技术在声带疾病的临床应用效果。方法 2005年1月～2008年1月,对小声带息肉及声带小结58例,广基底息肉30例,任克层水肿25例,声带囊肿36例,声带白斑11例共160例声带疾病患者采用内镜下微创外科治疗,采用显微切除技术58例、外侧微瓣技术67例、内侧微瓣技术24例、黏膜下注射技术及黏膜表皮剥脱技术11例。结果声带小结26例及声带息肉62例均一次切除病变。声带囊肿病变有2例(2/36,5.6%)术后发生黏膜瓣下端断裂漂移,后在电子喉镜下切除断裂黏膜瓣;另34例一次切除病变。任克层水肿25例全部消除声带浅固有层下水肿。150例(94%)术后1周经嗓音分析检查恢复正常嗓音,另10例在术后2周～3个月恢复正常嗓音。声带白斑11例全部随访1～3年,平均1.6年,术后2个月经电子喉镜检查均未见病变复发,病理报告为不典型增生的7例中有2例术后1年复发。结论内镜引导支撑喉镜下微创外科技术治疗声带疾病符合微创原则,近期疗效良好。     

Facemask ventilation and vocal cord angle following neuromuscular blockade: a prospective observational study#

Numerous studies support the idea that neuromuscular blockade facilitates facemask ventilation after induction of anaesthesia. Although improved airway patency or pulmonary compliance and a resolution of laryngospasm have been suggested as possible causes, the exact mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether neuromuscular blockade improves facemask ventilation and to clarify whether this phenomenon is associated with the vocal cord angle. This prospective observational study included patients aged between 20 and 65 years scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. After induction of anaesthesia, patients' lungs were ventilated with pressure-controlled ventilation using a facemask. During facemask ventilation, a flexible bronchoscope was inserted through a self-sealing diaphragm at the elbow connector attached to the facemask and breathing circuit and positioned to allow a continuous view of the vocal cords. The mean tidal volume and vocal cord angle were measured before and after administration of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Of 108 patients, 100 completed the study. Mean (SD) tidal volume ((11.0 (3.9) ml.kg^-1 vs. 13.6 (2.6) ml.kg^-1; p < 0.001) and mean (SD) vocal cord angle (17° (10°) vs. 26° (5°); p < 0.001) increased significantly after neuromuscular blockade. The proportional increase in mean tidal volume after neuromuscular blockade was positively correlated with vocal cord angle (Spearman's ρ = 0.803; p < 0.001). In conclusion, neuromuscular blockade facilitated facemask ventilation, and the improvement was correlated with further opening of the vocal cords.     

Vocal cord paralysis and reoperative parathyroidectomy. A prospective study.

One hundred sixty-three patients undergoing reoperative parathyroidectomy were evaluated before and after operation to determine the incidence of, risk factors for, and morbidity of vocal cord paralysis. These patients were compared to 77 patients undergoing initial parathyroid operation, only one of whom had vocal cord paralysis on postoperative indirect laryngoscopy (1.3%). Preoperative examination of the reoperative patients revealed vocal cord paralysis from initial exploration in 11 patients who were excluded from this study. After re-exploration, 10 patients (6.6%) had vocal cord paralysis, eight unilateral and two bilateral. Right vocal cords were paralyzed twice as often as left. In 90%, vocal cord paralysis was associated with removal or biopsy of an ipsilateral gland. Vocal cord paralysis occurred despite intraoperative visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Preoperative localization, parathyroid gland pathology, and concomitant thyroidectomy were not associated with increased risk of vocal cord paralysis. Hoarseness was the major symptom. Tracheostomy was required for two patients, one was permanent. One patient was treated for aspiration with a temporary gastrostomy. Nine of 10 patients had return of normal voice quality in an average of 4 months time. On examination 4 years or more after surgery, two of five patients had normal vocal cord motion. The oblique anatomic course of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve may account for the greater frequency of right vocal cord paralysis.     

Appropriate use of the day care unit for rigid endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract.

There is increasing pressure for more day surgery to be undertaken in the health service. In this retrospective study of 325 rigid upper aerodigestive tract endoscopies performed in the Day Care Unit of The Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, there were no post-discharge complications and only four patients required admission, none were, in our opinion, the direct result of day case rigid endoscopy. In our unit, the day case rate for microlaryngeal surgery is 44.8%, showing that rates significantly higher than published national rates of 17.1% (1993/1994) are achievable. We conclude that day case microlaryngeal surgery and diagnostic rigid endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract is safe if performed by suitably qualified staff in dedicated specialist units with patients selected according to existing day case criteria.     

A prospective evaluation of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis during thyroidectomy

HYPOTHESIS: Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy can be unrecognized without routine laryngoscopy, and patients have a good potential for recovery during follow-up. DESIGN: A prospective evaluation of vocal cord function before and after thyroidectomy. Periodic vocal cord assessment was performed until recovery of cord function. Persistent cord palsy for longer than 12 months after the operation was regarded as permanent. SETTING: A university hospital with about 150 thyroid operations performed by 1 surgical team per year. PATIENTS: From January 1, 1995, to April 30, 1998, 500 consecutive patients (84 males and 416 females) with documented normal cord function at the ipsilateral side of the thyroidectomy were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy. RESULTS: There were 213 unilateral and 287 bilateral procedures, with 787 nerves at risk of injury. Thirty-three patients (6.6%) developed postoperative unilateral cord paralysis, and 5 (1.0%) had recognizable nerve damage during the operations. Complete recovery of vocal cord function was documented in 26 (93%) of 28 patients. The incidence of temporary and permanent cord palsy was 5.2% and 1.4% (3.3% and 0.9% of nerves at risk), respectively. Among factors analyzed, surgery for malignant neoplasm and recurrent substernal goiter was associated with an increased risk of permanent nerve palsy. Primary operations for benign goiter were associated with a 5.3% and 0.3% incidence (3.4% and 0.2% of nerves at risk) of transient and permanent nerve palsy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Unrecognized recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred after thyroidectomy. Thyroid surgery for malignant neoplasms and recurrent substernal goiter was associated with an increased risk of permanent recurrent nerve damage. Postoperative vocal cord dysfunction recovered in most patients without documented nerve damage.     

OUTPATIENT LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

Background : Outpatient laparoscopic surgery has been adopted by number of centres but an assessment of the patients' view of postoperative symptoms and satisfaction has not been reported. This study was undertaken to prospectively assess protocol for outpatient laparoscopic surgery established with the aims of minimizing postoperative symptoms and optimizing same–day discharge. Methods : Patients were considered appropriate for an outpatient laparoscopic procedure if they met the following criteria: if they were less than 70 years of age; if they were ASA category I or II; if they lived within 30 min of healthcare facility; and if they had an appropriate escort to accompany them on discharge and who would stay with the patient on the night after surgery. Clinical data were prospectively recorded. A telephone interview was carried out on the day after surgery to assess postoperative symptoms and patient satisfaction. Results : One hundred patients were planned for outpatient laparoscopic surgery (60 laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 36 laparoscopic groin hernia repair, and four miscellaneous); 95 of them were discharged on the day of surgery. The five patients remained in hospital because of surgical indications rather than complications of the anaesthetic. There were no readmissions on subsequent days. The telephone interview showed that pain was adequately controlled for 84% of patients, and that nausea (9%) and vomiting (4%) were uncommon. One hundred per cent of patients considered the anaesthetic and nursing care to be good or excellent, and 95% indicated they would have outpatient surgery for future similar procedure. Twenty-nine per cent felt well enough to return to work on the second postoperative day. Conclusions : The success of this programme relates to patient selection and education, appropriate anaesthesia and defined anaesthetic and surgical protocol.     

Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Background

Preoperative detection of vocal cord palsy is important in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, routine fiberoptic laryngoscopy may bring patients unnecessary discomfort. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using surgeon-performed ultrasonography (US) as a screening tool for preoperative assessment of vocal cord movement.

Methods

In the first phase, patients had both laryngoscopic and US examination before surgery. In the second phase, patients had US evaluation first. Those with abnormal vocal cord movement on US, with invisible cord movement, or presenting with significant vocal symptoms underwent laryngeal examination.

Results

In all, 93 (82?%) of 114 patients had successful US evaluation of vocal cord movement during the first phase. Two of them had vocal cord paralysis. In the second phase, vocal cord movement could be evaluated by US in 349 (84?%) of 415 patients. Four patients with abnormal movement were confirmed to have vocal cord palsy by laryngoscopy. None of 46 symptomatic patients with normal movement on US had vocal cord palsy. One other patient whose cord movement could not be seen by US had vocal cord palsy on laryngoscopic examination.

Conclusions

Surgeon-performed US appears to be a relatively accurate method for assessing vocal cord movement in the preoperative setting. It can be used to select patients to undergo laryngoscopic examination before thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.     

Anesthesia and surgical repair of aponeurotic hernias in ambulatory surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate our 5 year experience in the surgery of umbilical (UH) and epigastric hernias (EH) on an ambulatory basis. Sixty three point seven of UH (88/138) and 68.4% of EH (13/19) could be successfully operated in our ambulatory unit. Morbid obesity, ASA III-IV and insulin dependent diabetes were exclusion criteria. After a preoperative local anesthesia infiltration with 1% lidocaine a repair was undertaken in all 101 patients under monitored anesthesia care. Most patients underwent a mesh hernioplasty as definite treatment. Only three patients could not be discharged on the day of operation. There has been a 2% recurrence rate in long term follow-up. These results demonstrate that two thirds of primary aponeurotic hernias can be satisfactorily operated on ambulatory basis.     

Vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery: predictors and clinical outcome

OBJECTIVE: This study is retrospective cohort study of data on vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery collected during 14 years at a general hospital. We investigated factors in the development of vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery and the effect of vocal cord paralysis on clinical course and outcome. METHODS: We reviewed data for 182 patients who underwent aortic arch surgery for aortic arch aneurysm and aortic dissection between 1989 and 2003, of whom 58 patients had proximal aortic repair, 62 had distal arch repair, and 62 had total arch repair. We assessed factors associated with the development of vocal cord paralysis and examined in detail the clinical outcome of patients with vocal cord paralysis. RESULTS: Postoperative vocal cord paralysis occurred in 40 patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the following risk factors with odds ratios (OR) for vocal cord paralysis: extension of procedures into distal arch (OR, 17.0), chronic dilatation of the aorta at the left subclavian artery (OR, 9.14), and total arch repair (OR, 4.24). Adoption of open-style stent-grafts reduced the incidence of vocal cord paralysis (OR, 0.031). The postoperative occurrence of vocal cord paralysis itself emerges as an independent predictor of pulmonary complications (OR, 4.12) and leads to a longer duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery depends on surgical factors, such as aneurysmal involvement of the distal arch, or the application of newer, less invasive surgical procedures. Vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery itself, under aggressive postoperative respiratory management, did not increase aspiration pneumonia but was associated with postoperative complications leading to higher hospital mortality and prolonged hospitalization.     

Is dysphonia permanent or temporary after anterior cervical approach?

The rate, causes and prognosis of dysphonia after anterior cervical approach (ACA) were investigated in our clinical series. During a 10-year interval, 235 consecutive patients with cervical disc disease underwent surgical treatment using anterior approach. Retrospective chart reviews showed recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in 3 (1.27%) patients. All three patients were men and only one patient had multilevel surgery. These patients had RLN injury after virgin surgery. Laryngoscopic examination demonstrated unilateral vocal cord paralysis in all patients who had postoperative dysphonia. No permanent dysphonia was observed in our series and patients recovered after a mean of 2 months (range 1–3 months) duration. Dysphonia after ACA was a rare complication in our clinical series. Pressure on RLN or retraction may result in temporary dysphonia.     

A prospective study evaluating the feasibility and accuracy of very early postoperative translaryngeal ultrasonography in the assessment of vocal cord function after neck surgery

BackgroundEarly recognition of postoperative vocal cord palsy enhances postoperative care. Translaryngeal ultrasonography can assess vocal cord function accurately and noninvasively, but it is unclear whether it is feasible or accurate when done immediately after extubation in the recovery room owing to possible interference from laryngeal swelling. This study assessed the feasibility and accuracy of translaryngeal ultrasonography in this setting.MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing neck operations were subjected to translaryngeal ultrasonography and flexible direct laryngoscopy 1 day before and day 7 after thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Translaryngeal ultrasonography was performed early in the recovery room immediately after extubation in the operating room. A standardized assessment protocol was used. Patient parameters were compared between those with assessable and unassessable vocal cords.ResultsSixty-five patients (91 recurrent laryngeal nerves-at-risk) were analyzed after excluding 2 male patients who failed preoperative translaryngeal ultrasonography. Fifty-six patients underwent thyroidectomy and 9 parathyroidectomy. The median age (range) was 57 (46–69); 44 (68%) were women. Sixty-one patients (94%) had assessable bilateral vocal cords on translaryngeal ultrasonography in the recovery room. Translaryngeal ultrasonography in the recovery room findings corresponded completely with day-7 findings on direct laryngoscopy. Long operative time was associated with nonassessable vocal cords on translaryngeal ultrasonography in the recovery room (P = .026).ConclusionVery early postoperative translaryngeal ultrasonography in the recovery room after neck surgery is highly feasible and accurate. Long operative time may hinder the use of translaryngeal ultrasonography in the recovery room.