Recurrent laryngeal nerve and voice preservation: routine identification and appropriate assessment �C two important steps in thyroid surgery

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study were to assess and compare vocal cord functions before and after thyroid surgery after intra-operative identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is seen intra-operatively in all cases undergoing thyroid surgeries. Vocal cord functions including any voice change were evaluated by indirect laryngoscopy (I/L) and direct laryngoscopy (D/L) before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Prospective study on 100 patients over 18 months with a total of 146 nerves at risk (NAR). Majority were women (n = 86) with mean age of 37.48 years (range, 13–60 years). RLN was seen in all patients and 19 patients complained of some change in quality of their voice after surgery. Evaluation by I/L and D/L at 6 weeks showed recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) in nine (47.36%) and five (26%) of these 19 patients respectively. Analysed according to total NAR, the incidence of voice change and temporary RLN palsy (I/L and D/L) at 6 weeks was still less at 13.01%, 6.16% and 3.42%, respectively. Voice change improved in all cases at 3 months with no RLNP palsy by I/L or D/L. All these 19 patients had undergone difficult or extensive surgery for malignancy, large gland, extratyhroidal spread or fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite identification and preservation of RLN, patients can develop postoperative voice change and RLNP although all voice change cannot be attributed to damaged RLN. Proper assessment of vocal cord functions by I/L and D/L laryngoscopy is required to rule out injuries to these nerves. Risk of damage is higher in patients undergoing more difficult surgery.     

Day Care Surgery in Otolaryngology : a three year Prospective Study

Day care surgery is now an integral part of otolaryngology and is widely practised in the West. But in our military setup it still has to gain popularity. A Day Care Surgical Centre was established at Armed Forces Clinic in 1996. In the period May 1998 to Apr 2001, a total of 752 otolaryngology cases were operated at the centre, of which 474 cases were major and 278 cases were minor. All cases were performed under local anaesthesia supplemented by sedation. Strict patient selection criteria were adopted resulting in a low immediate post-operative complication rate (1.46%). None required admission to hospital for the management of complications. The feasibility of performing otolaryngological surgery on a day care basis is demonstrated, especially in nasal and aural cases. The experience gained shows that high medical standards can be achieved with low resource expenditure. Patient selection criteria and guidelines are suggested.Key Words: Day care, Otolaryngology, Surgery     

POST OPERATIVE PAIN RELIEF IN CAESAREAN SECTION

Eighty female patients in the age group of 20-40 years, weighing 40 ± 15 Kg, in ASA physical status I and II, awaiting either elective or emergency caesarean delivery were selected for this study. Patients with cardiovascular disorders and those with significant systemic ailments were excluded from the study. They were randomly divided into two equal groups of 40 patients each. Group I was subdivided randomly into two equal sub-groups (1A and 1B) of 20 patients each and was selected for administration of epidural narcotics. Patients in sub-group 1A were given epidural morphine in the dose of 3-5 mg and those in subgroup 1B were given buprenorphine in the dose of 0.1-0.15 mg. Group II consisting of 40 patients, were again subdivided randomly into two equal subgroups (2A and 2B) of 20 patients each and were selected for administration of parenteral (intravenous) narcotics. Patients in subgroup 2A were given morphine in the dose of 5-7.5 mg I.V., and those in subgroup 2B were given 0.15-0.3 mg of buprenorphine intravenously. The degree of pain relief was assessed by applying numerical rating scale (NRS) and resulting complications were observed and recorded. It was found that 60-80% of patients with epidural narcotics, with various dosage schedules, experienced good to excellent analgesia as compared to 30-40% of patients with parenteral use of narcotics.KEY WORDS: Analgesia, Caesarean section, Epidural narcotics     

ANEURYSMAL BONE CYST IN THE MANDIBLE (A Case Report)

Aneurysmal bone cyst is commonly seen in the long bones and vertebrae and is rare in the jaws. Its association with other lesions of the bone has been stressed by many workers. Because of its variable radiological appearance, diagnosis of the lesion is established by histopathological examination. A case of aneurysmal bone cyst occurring in the mandible is reported.KEY WORDS: Aneurysmal bone cyst, Mandible     

AIDS education of college students: the effect of an HIV-positive lecturer.

Seventy-five introductory psychology students participated in an experiment to assess the effectiveness of 2 types of AIDS education. In the "disclosed" and "undisclosed" conditions, students were given a lecture about AIDS/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by a person who has been diagnosed with HIV disease. The lecturer revealed his HIV status in the disclosed but not in the undisclosed condition. A control group received no education. Significant differences were found in a 3 x 3 (Time x AIDS Education) analysis of variance. Knowledge and Attitude posttest scores were significantly higher than pretest scores. Students in the disclosed condition scored higher than students in the control condition on both Knowledge and Attitude posttests. For Behavioral Intent, students in the disclosed condition scored higher than students in the control condition. Subjective comments made by the students indicated that a lecturer with HIV disease had a dramatic impact on their perceptions about AIDS.