Abstract
Objective: Persistent hoarseness due to recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) reduces the
quality of life unless it is adequately treated. This study examined the indications
for phonosurgical intervention in patients with RLNP. Materials and methods: The medical records of the Ehime University Hospital, Ehime, Japan, from October
1976 until December 1997 were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with RLNP.
The data collected included age, gender, paralyzed side, and cause of paralysis. Results: Four hundred and sixty-six patients with RLNP were identified: 262 males and 204
females. Unilateral RLNP was present in 422 patients, while 44 presented with bilateral
RLNP. The incidence was relatively high in the 7th and 8th decades, and was twice
as high in male patients as in female patients. The 466 patients were divided into
2 groups: Group 1 included 225 patients seen before January 1987, and Group 2 included
241 patients seen after this date. The number of patients with postoperative RLNP
was significantly higher in Group 2 (124 of 239 patients) than in Group 1 (65 of 227
patients) (P<0.05). Surgery for cardiovascular disease, esophageal cancer, and skull base and
thyroid gland tumors contributed to this increased incidence of postoperative RLNP.
Conclusions: Patients with persistent unilateral RLNP require appropriate treatment for hoarseness,
regardless of its cause. Since the incidence of RLNP related to surgery was significantly
increased in Group 2, phonosurgery has become more important for improving the quality
of life of these patients.
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
July 27,
2001
Received in revised form:
June 21,
2001
Received:
April 6,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
