• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.156-159
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• 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has upended the world of otolaryngology. After COVID-19 infection, patients experience various complication of symptoms due to injury of the larynx and lung/ respiratory system. Regardless of the patient's severity, patients can experience several complications including dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis/paresis and sensory neuropathy. An emerging role for otolaryngologists in the coming weeks and months is the management of laryngeal complications of COVID-19. This review is intended to describe laryngeal complications in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.7.3-7
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• 1982

Endotracheal intubation is common practice for either general anesthesia or keeping artificial airway in various conditions. Despite of its great usefulness, however, laryngeal edema, ulceration, and granuloma are occasionally developed following endotracheal intubation as posttraumatic complications. Vocal cord paralysis is also rarely developed. Recently we experienced a case of left vocal cord paralysis with accompanying hoarseness following endotracheal general anesthesia for appendectomy. The symptoms of hoarseness and sore throat developed immediately after the general anesthesia. Periodic check revealed gradual return to normal function of the paralyzed cord with the complete function about 3 months after the anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2009

Bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) is a challenging condition which may result from diverse etiologies including vocal fold paralysis, synkinesis, cricoarytenoid joint fixation, and interarytenoid scar. Most patients present with dyspnea and stridor, but sometimes with a breathy dysphonia. Careful history taking, laryngoscopic evaluation under general anesthesia or awaken status, laryngeal EMG, and imaging studies with CT and/or MRI are helpful for providing a precise diagnosis and planning appropriate managements. In children, congenital neurological disorder is one of the most common etiologies, and spontaneous recovery has been reported in more than 50% of cases. Therefore, observation for more than 6 months while securing the upper airway with tracheostomy if needed is a generally accepted rule before deciding any destructive procedure to be undertaken. In children with advanced posterior glottic stenosis, laryngotracheal reconstruction with rib cartilage graft should be considered. In contrast to children, BVFI most commonly occurs as sequalae of surgical complication in adults. Diverse static or dynamic procedures can be applied; posterior cordotomy, vocal fold lateralization, endoscopic or open arytenoidectomy, arytenoid abduction, and reinnervation, electrical laryngeal pacing, which need to be carefully selected according to each patient's needs and pathophysiology of BVFI.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2011

Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) is a common complication after thyroidectomy despite the continuity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is preserved. Much efforts have been made into preventing VCP, but few of them focuses on the treatment strategies and prognosis after VCP take place. In this case, patient visited the clinic for papillary thyroid cancer in Rt. thyroid gland without VCP. She underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection. During dissection, Rt main mass was encircling Rt. RLN. To make matters worse, Lt. RLN was severed due to tight attachment with Berry's ligament. After that, intratumoural dissection of Rt. RLN and end to end anastomosis of Lt. RLN were performed with microscopy to preserve the functions of RLNs as much as possible, otherwise permanent bilateral VCPs were inevitable. We report this case, since both vocal cords recovered from VCPs with symmetric, synchronous movements at postoperative follow up.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1989

A clinico-statistical analysis was performed on 1373 cases who complained of hoarseness at the Dept. of Otolaryngology of Ewha Womans University hopital during the past 10 years from fan 1975 to Dec 1984 and the following results were obtained. 1) Among total of 44,912 who visited the Dept. of Otolaryngology. the patients with hoarseness were 1373 cases(3.1%). 2) Among total of 1373 cases, male were 586 and female were 787, the ratio being 1:1.3. 3) The underlying diseases causing hoarseness in order of frequency were acute laryngitis 374 cases(27.2%), chronic laryngitis 325 cases(23.7%), vocal nodule 248 cases(18.1%), vocal polyp 130 cases(9.5%), vocal cord paralysis 101 cases(7.4%), laryngeal cancer 24 cases(1.7%). 4) The highest incidence of age causing hoarseness in order of frequency were 3rd decade 368 cases(26.8%) 2nd decade 312 cases(22.7%) 4th decade 297 cases(21.6%), 5) The highest incidence of age for underlying diseases in order of frequency were as that follows: acute laryngitis in 2nd decade 114 cases(30.5%), chronic laryngitis in 3rd decade 92 cases(28.3%), vocal nodule in 3rd decade 81 cases(32.7%), vocal polyp in 4th decade 38 cases(29.2%), vocal cord paralysis in 5th decade 19 cases(18.8%), laryngeal cancer in 5th decade 13 cases(54.2%). 6) Number of the patients who came the hospital within 10 days after the onset of hoarseness were 272 cases(19.8%), 15 cases(1.1%) had medical attention for first time 10 years after hoarseness. 7) The highest incidence of the duration from the onset to consultation for the underlying diseases were as that follows: acute larynsitis within 10 days 205 cases(54.8%), chronic laryngitis 3M-6M 76 cases(23.4%), vocal nodule 3M-6M 55 cases(22.2%) vocal polyp 6M-lYr 32 cases(24.6%), vocal cord paralysis 3M-6M 20 cases(19.8%)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.336-345
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• 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerves during thoracoscopic and robotic 3-field esophagectomy. Methods: This retrospective analysis details our initial experience using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. The study included all patients who underwent minimally invasive (video-assisted thoracic surgery/robotic) transthoracic esophagectomy with neck anastomosis. The patients were divided into those who underwent IONM during the study period and a historical cohort who underwent 3-field esophagectomy without IONM at the same institution. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare the 2 groups. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent nerve monitoring during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Of these, 15 patients underwent thoraco-laparoscopic operation, while 9 received a robot-assisted procedure. In the immediate postoperative period, 8 of 24 patients (33.3%) experienced vocal cord paralysis. Relative to a historical cohort from the same institution, who were treated with surgery without nerve monitoring in the preceding 5 years, a 26% reduction was observed in the nerve paralysis rate (p=0.08). On follow-up, 6 of the 8 patients with vocal cord paralysis reported a return to normal vocal function. Additionally, patients who underwent IONM exhibited a higher nodal yield and a decreased frequency of tracheostomy and bronchoscopy. Conclusion: The use of IONM during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy is safe and feasible. This technique has the potential to decrease the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy and increase nodal yield.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2017

Background and Objectives : The purpose of this study was to classify patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis according to their fixed location and to analysis the effects of two treatment methods by early voice therapy and injection laryngoplasty. Materials and Methods : Twenty patients who were classified as full abduction and slight abduction according to the position of paralysis were treated injection laryngoplasy, and 23 patients were treated by voice therapy. Twenty patients were treated injection laryngoplasy and 23 patients were treated voice therapy. Results were evaluated by acoustic analysis, electroglottography, cepstrum analysis before and after therapy. The voice therapy was conducted by improving the larynx movement and glottal contact, whilst removing hypertension of the supraglottic and use the breathing. Results : Significant improvement was found in the acoustic parameter, cepstrum parameter, and EGG before and after treatment in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups when compared before and after treatment to compare the effects of injection laryngoplasty and voice therapy. Conclusion : The initial treatments for unilateral vocal cord paralysis are injection laryngoplasty and voice therapy. however, there is no precise standard about which method should be applied first. Therefore, in this study, we tried to classify patients according to their paralysis position and then apply two methods. The results of this study suggest that voice therapy and Injection laryngoplasty at the initial stage is a very useful method to improve voice quality of vocal fold paralysis and improve laryngeal function.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2012

Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis is the most common and serious complication after thyroid cancer surgery. The objective of this study was to report the advantages of the vein wrapping technique for nerve reconstruction in patients with thyroid cancer invading the recurrent laryngeal nerve and its effects on postoperative phonatory function. The subjects were three patients who underwent resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgical extirpation of papillary thyroid cancer. Free ansa cervicalis nerve graft or direct neurorrhaphy with a vein wrapping technique was used to facilitate nerve regeneration, protect the anastomosed nerve site mechanically, and prevent neuroma formation. One-year postoperative laryngoscopic examination revealed good vocal cord mobility. Maximum phonation time ($19.5{\pm}0.3$ sec) was longer than a previously-reported value in conventional reconstruction patients ($18.8{\pm}6.6$ sec). The present phonation efficiency index ($7.88{\pm}0.78$) was higher than that previously calculated in conventional reconstruction ($7.59{\pm}2.82$). The mean value of the Voice Handicap Index-10 was 6, which was within the normal range. This study demonstrates improvement in phonation indices measured 1 year after recurrent laryngeal nerve reconstruction. Our results confirm that the vein wrapping technique has theoretical advantages and could be favored over conventional reconstruction techniques for invenerate nerve injuries.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1019-1027
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• 2017

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics between neurogenic and non-neurogenic cause of vocal cord immobility (VCI). Methods The researchers retrospectively reviewed clinical data of patients who underwent laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). LEMG was performed in the bilateral cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles. A total of 137 patients were enrolled from 2011 to 2016, and they were assigned to either the neurogenic or non-neurogenic VCI group, according to the LEMG results. The clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups and a subgroup analysis was done in the neurogenic group. Results Among the 137 subjects, 94 patients had nerve injury. There were no differences between the neurogenic and non-neurogenic group in terms of demographic data, underlying disease except cancer, and premorbid events. In general characteristics, cancer was significantly higher in the neurogenic group than non-neurogenic group (p=0.001). In the clinical findings, the impaired high pitched 'e' sound and aspiration symptoms were significantly higher in neurogenic group (p=0.039 for impaired high pitched 'e' sound; p=0.021 for aspiration symptoms), and sore throat was more common in the non-neurogenic group (p=0.014). In the subgroup analysis of neurogenic group, hoarseness was more common in recurrent laryngeal neuropathy group than superior laryngeal neuropathy group (p=0.018). Conclusion In patients with suspected vocal cord palsy, impaired high pitched 'e' sound and aspiration symptoms were more common in group with neurogenic cause of VCI. Hoarseness was more frequent in subjects with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Thorough clinical evaluation and LEMG are important to differentiate underlying cause of VCI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2015

Background and Objectives : Aerodynamic analysis is an examination which provides information regarding various vocalization measures indicating laryngeal efficiency. Voice evaluation using such examination must be capable of distinguishing between normal to abnormal voice. It also observes variables on aerodynamic characteristics by gender in regards to patients of vocal disorders, especially of vocal cord paralysis and vocal polyp, and compares the conditions before and after surgery. This paper therefore, seeks to build a framework for establishing standard levels of aerodynamical characteristic on vocal disorders. Subjects and Methods : The study was intended for a total number of 20 patients with vocal polyp or unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Those with the vocal polyp underwent laryngomycroscopy surgery and the vocal cord paralysis, vocal fold injection using Restylane. Aerodynamic analysis fulfilled the Maximum sustained Phonation (MXPH) and Voicing Efficiency (VOEF) by using PAS Model 6600 (KayPENTAX, USA). Results : In MXPH, increase in PHOT were evident with vocal polyp after surgery. As for patients with vocal cord paralysis, MAXDB, MEADB, DHODB, PHOT all have increased and MEAP, PEF, MEAF decreased after surgery. In VOEF, patients with vocal cord paralysis who underwent surgery showed increase in MAXDB, MEADB, DHODB, FET100, ARES, but decreases in PEF, TARF. Conclusion : Overall, it can be concluded that patients with the vocal polyp and vocal cord paralysis seemed to get closer to the normal values after than before surgery in majority of measures. This confirms that the function of their vocal cord has improved nearly to normality through operations.