• 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.

• 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.26 no.2
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• pp.141-143
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• 2015

Ortner's syndrome is a rare clinical entity with hoarseness attributable to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism of this condition is thought to be due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by a dilated, tense cardiovascular structure against its adjacent tissue; thus, this is also known as cardio-vocal syndrome. We experienced the case of a 81-year-old female suffering from hoarseness due to a large aneurysm of the aortic arch, and reviews the literature for possible cardiovascular causes of Ortner's syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-114
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• 2006

Objective : The anterior approach to the cervical spine now selves as the surgical across of choice for cervical spine disease. Vocal cord paryalysis(VCP) follow the procedure as a complication, and it is most common complication of this procedure. However, the frequency and etiology of this injury are not clearly defined. This study was performed to establish the clinical features of vocal cord paralysis in anterior cervical spine surgery(ACSS). Material and Method : Retrospectively, medical records of patients who underwent ACSS at Hallym university medical center, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital between January 2000 and March 2006 were reviewed. Further detailed review of the patients with documented VCP after surgery was then performed. Results : 242 ACSSs were performed and 9 patients with VCP were identified (3.71%) In 9 patients with VCP, 8 patients had right-sided approaches (6.01%) and 1 patient had left-sided approach (0.91%). All 9 patients had VCP on ipsilateral side and 8 patients were recovered completely on follow up period. Duration of ACSS, multilevel exposure and low-level (below the C6 level) exposure have been found to be associated with higher risk. Conclusion : For avoiding the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, surgeon have to understand the clinical features of VCP in ACSS. As right-sided approach has a greater risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, we suggest that the left-sided approach be given more consideration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.522-526
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• 1990

We have experienced 2 cases vocal cord paralysis after open heart surgery. One was a postoperatively developed right unilateral vocal cord paralysis after prosthetic mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve annuloplasty. The other was a postoperative left unilateral vocal cord paralysis after prosthetic aortic and mitral valve replacement with tricuspid annuloplasty. They were intubated for forty-eight and seventy-two hours but after extubation complained of hoarseness, aphonia, anxiety, and ineffective coughing Indirect laryngoscopy performed at about postoperative one week, revealed partial paralysis and decreased mobility of the vocal cord. After active phonation therapy, symptoms were improved gradually and in the follow up indirect laryngoscopy, the vocal cord paralysis was improved. The symptoms were recovered completely at about postoperative one month in both. The cause of vocal cord paralysis after open heart surgery may be any retraction or stretching injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, especially right side, during median sternotomy retraction and open heart operation procedures. As a result, avoid of excessive spread of median sternotomy retractor and excessive manipulation and retraction of the heart during open heart procedures will reduce the occurrence of the vocal cord paralysis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.505-509
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• 2018

VCP (Vocal Cord Paralysis) is rare but one of most serious complications related to endotracheal intubation. This report is a clinical experience of radiography and laryngeal EMG (Electromyography) assessment for the VCP. A 50-year-old woman with hoarseness, which was occurred after urethral diverticulum excision was examined by laryngoscopy. As a result of laryngoscopy, VCP was observed in left side of her vocal cord, and then recurrent laryngeal nerve damage was detected with additional CT (Computed tomography) scan and laryngeal EMG. After that, the vocal cord movement was recovered as normal state with regular conservative treatment for the 6 months.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2022

Background and Objectives Injection laryngoplasty is a common method for treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Unilateral vocal fold paralysis has various causes, including idiopathic, infection, stroke, neurologic condition, surgery and nerve invasion by cancer. To the knowledge of the authors, there was no study on the relationship between the causes of vocal cord paralysis and the outcome of injection laryngoplasty. Therefore, we tried to investigate the difference in the outcomes of injection laryngoplasty between vocal cord paralysis after surgery group and nerve invasion by cancer group. Materials and Method A retrospective analysis was performed for 24 patients who underwent vocal cord injection due to unilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by surgery or nerve invasion by cancer. The objective quality of the voice was assessed by acoustic voice analysis with the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program. Results Both group showed an improvement of fundamental frequemcy (F0), jitter percent, shimmer (percent), and noise to hearmonic ratio (NHR) after injection laryngoplasty. The vocal cord paralysis due to nerve invasion group showed more improvement in both the mean and median value of F0, shimmer percent and NHR than the vocal cord paralysis due to surgery group, but there was not statistically significant. Conclusion Our study did not show a statistically significant difference in outcome between vocal cord paralysis due to cancer invasion group and surgery group, but statistically tendency was suggested. The vocal cord paralysis due to nerve invasion group showed more improvement in both the mean and median value of acoustic voice analysis than surgery group.

• 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.21 no.2
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• pp.142-144
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• 2010

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis occurs from a dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It causes a characteristic hoarseness, shortness of breath and swallowing disability. Prompt injection laryngoplasty is a treatment options that aims to improve these symptoms less invasively and easily than any other procedures. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used injection material. It is non-mammalian polysaccharides derived from streptococcus strain and well known for its duration in vocal cord about 3-6 months after injection. However, there were no complication reports such as infection or rejection after HA injection laryngoplasty in previous report. We present a case of patient with laryngeal abscess after transcricothyroid membrane percutaneous HA injection laryngoplasty.

• 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.