Goitre plongeant Particularités cliniques et thérapeutiques / Sub-sternal goitre: Clinical and therapeutic features

Etudier les caractéristiques cliniques, radiologiques et thérapeutiques des goitres plongeants et établir un arbre décisionnel de prise en charge Méthodes: Nous rapportons une étude rétrospective portant sur 67 cas de goitre plongeant colligés sur une période de 27 ans entre 1990 et 2016. Résultats: L'âge moyen des patients était de 53 ± 15,1 ans et le sex-ratio de 0,24. La tuméfaction basicervicale antérieure était le motif de consultation le plus fréquent, rapportée dans 82% des cas associée à des signes de compression dans 31% des cas. Une paralysie récurrentielle unilatérale a été objectivée dans quatre cas. Une radiographie de thorax a montré une opacité médiastinale dans 75% des cas et une déviation trachéale dans 85% des cas. Un scanner cervico-thoracique pratiquée dans 73% des cas a confirmé le diagnostic en objectivant cinq prolongements dépassant la crosse de l'aorte. Le traitement chirurgical était mené par voie cervicale dans 99% des patients et une sternotomie a été réalisée devant l'échec d'extraction par cervicotomie. Une paralysie récurrentielle postopératoire a été observée dans un cas et l'hypoparathyroïdie définitive a été rapportée chez six malades avec un recul moyen de trois ans. Conclusion: Les goitres plongeants sont devenus rares en Tunisie du fait de la prise en charge plus précoce des nodules thyroïdiens. Le scanner cervico-thoracique représente le gold standard pour l'étude et la confirmation du diagnostic du goitre plongeant ainsi que pour l'attitude thérapeutique. L'indication chirurgicale est toujours impérative devant le risque vital qu'il pose.

Ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block -A description of the technique / Bloqueo de nervio laríngeo superior guiado por ecografia. Descripción de la técnica

Abstract Complications in airway management remain a common cause of anesthesia-associated mortality. When a patient is considered with anticipated difficult airway, the management depends on several variables, however, at present, the standard of management continues to be the patient awake approach. In scenarios of acute upper airway obstruction, the only way to guarantee adequate ventilation is to obtain a translaryngeal or transtracheal access, for which, it is necessary to use local anesthesia and grade I / II sedation, avoiding loss of spontaneous ventilation. For this purpose, we propose ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block, in order to standardize an ultrasound landmark that is reproduceable, with a high success rate, which allows limiting complications related to regional anatomic techniques and thus facilitating the securing of the airway in these patients.

Resumen Las complicaciones en el manejo de la vía aérea siguen siendo una causa frecuente de mortalidad relacionada con anestesia. Cuando un paciente se considera con vía aérea difícil anticipada, el manejo depende de diversas variables, sin embargo, en la actualidad, el estándar de manejo sigue siendo el abordaje con paciente despierto. En escenarios de obstrucción aguda de la vía aérea superior, la única forma de garantizar una adecuada ventilación es obtener un acceso translaríngeo o transtraqueal, para lo cual, es necesario el uso de anestesia local y de sedación grado I/II evitando la pérdida de ventilación espontánea. Con este propósito, planteamos el bloqueo del nervio laríngeo superior guiado por ultrasonografía, con el fin de estandarizar una referencia ecográfica reproducible, con alto índice de éxito, la cual permita limitar complicaciones relacionadas con las técnicas regionales anatómicas y así facilitar el aseguramiento de la vía aérea en estos pacientes.

Application value of intraoperative neuromonitoring plus "classification of EBSLN" to protect the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the application efficacy of the "classification of external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN)" combined with intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in the dissection of EBSLN for protecting the nerve from injuery, compared with ligation of branches of the superior thyroid vessels without attempts to visually identify the nerve. Methods: A prospective randomized controled study was performed in our center. Patients subjected to thyroidectomy from January 2017 to June 2019 were randomly divided into 2 groups, patients in experimental group underwent thyroidectomy and "classification of EBSLN" with IONM to dissect EBSLN, and patients in control group received synchronous surgery without attempts to visually identify the nerve. The anatomical subtypes of EBSLN in experimental group were recorded. The voice handicap index 10 (VHI-10) score was evaluated and the movement of bilateral vocal cords was examined by laryngoscope before surgery, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery, respectively. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 1 377 EBSLN from 827 patients (317 males and 510 females, aged 24-58 years old), 691 EBSLNs in experimental group and 686 EBSLNs in control group. Totally 98.3% of EBSLNs in experimental group were identified by IONM including 16.4% (113/691) for type Ⅰ, 21.3% (147/691) for type Ⅱa, 31.4% (217/691) for type Ⅱb, 10.4% (72/691) for type Ⅲa, 3.9% (27/691) for type Ⅲb, 16.6% (115/691) for type Ⅲc. There was no statistical significance difference in baseline data between 2 groups (all P>0.05). All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. The postoperative nerve injury rate of experimental group was significantly lower than that of control group (1.2% vs. 7.5%, χ²=12.659, P<0.001), and the VHI-10 scores and laryngoscope results of experimental group were better than those of control group in three follow-up visits (P<0.001). With postoperative laryngoscope examination, 3 patients in the experimental group and 23 patients in the control group showed vocal cord relaxation, bilateral oblique asymmetry and other phenomena, which were considered as the results of permanent injury. Other patients with symptoms were relieved to varying degrees during the follow-up, and their symptoms were considered as the results of temporary injury. Conclusion: IONM combined with "classification of EBSLN" can reduce significantly the risk of EBSLN injury in thyroidectomy, which is better than direct ligation of branches without attempts to visually identify the nerve.

Anatomía topográfica del nervio laríngeo superior: importancia quirúrgica en las tiroidectomías / Topographic anatomy of the upper laryngeal nerve: surgical importance in thyroidectomies

En las cirugías sobre la glándula tiroides se ha prestado mucha atención al manejo del nervio laríngeo inferior y de las glándulas paratiroides, no así del ramo lateral del nervio laríngeo superior, el cual es satélite del pedículo vascular superior de la glándula tiroides. El manejo del polo superior de la glándula tiroides requiere de un conocimiento acabado de su anatomía topográfica del área y está determinada por sus relaciones más importantes, dadas por el citado nervio y la arteria tiroidea superior principalmente. En este trabajo se pretende estudiar estas relaciones en base a la disección meticulosa del triángulo laringo-esternotiroideo ("Triángulo de Joll") de 25 cadáveres adultos formolizados. Como hallazgo relevante se informa que los "nervios en riesgo", según la clasificación de Cernea, que se basa en una distancia menor a un centímetro en el entrecruzamiento del nervio con la arteria tiroidea superior con respecto al polo superior de la glándula tiroides, es del 52 % para el lado derecho y 44 % para el lado izquierdo del cuello. El origen bajo de la arteria a nivel de la bifurcación carotídea se presenta asociada a un mayor número de "nervios en riesgo" en el lado izquierdo. Según el punto de penetración del ramo lateral del nervio laríngeo superior en el músculo constrictor inferior de la faringe se establece la clasificación de Friedman, muy útil sobre todo en cirugías ayudadas por la neuroestimulación. En esta clasifiacción los "nervios en riesgo" son aquellos que transcurrren superficial al músculo, mientras que los "nervios protegidos" serían aquellos que perforan el músculo en su porción superior. En este trabajo los "nervios en riesgo" se presentaron del lado izquierdo en el 56 % de los casos y del derecho en el 60 %, mientras que los "nervios protegidos" en el 24 % y 16 %, respectivamente.

In surgeries on the thyroid gland, much attention has been given to the management of the inferior laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands, but not the external branch of the given by the aforementioned nerve and the superior thyroid artery. This paper intends to study these relationships based on the meticulous dissection of the larynx-sternothyroid triangle ("Joll triangle") of 25 formolized adult corpses. As a relevant finding, it is reported that the " nerves at risk" according to the Cernea classification, which is based on the distance less than one centimeter at the intersection of the nerve with the superior thyroid artery with respect to the upper pole of the gland, is 52 % for the right side and 44 % for the left side of the neck. The low origin of the artery at the level of the carotid bifurcation is associated with a greater number of "nerves at risk" on the left side. According to the penetration point of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, the Friedman classification is established, very useful especially in surgeries aided by neurostimulation. In this classification the "nerves at risk" are those that run superficially to the muscle, while the protected nerves would be those that pierce the muscle in its upper part. In tis work, the "nerves at risk" presented on the left side in 56 % of the cases and the right side in 60 %, while those "protected" in 24 % and 16 % respectively.

Estudio comparativo de laringes humanas y de cerdos: hacia un modelo de entrenamiento quirúrgico / Comparative study of human and pig larynxes: towards a surgical training model

Introducción: La laringe de cerdo doméstico tiene similitudes con la laringe humana. La capacidad elástica de las cuerdas vocales del cerdo demuestran tener la mayor similitud con la humana comparado con otros animales por lo que se ha propuesto usar las laringes de cerdo como modelo de entrenamiento quirúrgico. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias y similitudes anatómicas e histológicas entre la laringe del cerdo y la humana. Material y método: Se realizaron mediciones por 4 observadores en 5 laringes porcinas cuyos resultados se compararon con los descritos en la literatura para las laringes humanas. Además se realizaron cortes histológicos para visualizar fibras elásticas, mucinas neutras y mucinas ácidas. Resultados: El cartílago tiroides porcino mide entre las astas superiores 37,55 ±7,30 mm, entre astas inferiores 31,33 ±3,27 mm, desde la prominencia laríngea al borde posterior 34,32 ±7,30 mm. En el cartílago cricoides, desde el borde superior-inferior en el arco anterior 7,28 ±2,21 mm, altura borde superior-inferior pared posterior 27,47 ±3,40 mm, ancho máximo pared posterior 30,99 ±4,51 mm, diámetro interior anteroposterior (borde cefálico) 30,90 ±2,12 mm, diámetro interior anteroposterior (borde caudal) 21,78 ±2,55 mm, diámetro interior derecha-izquierda (borde cefálico) 18,11 ±2,13 mm, diámetro interior derecha-izquierda (borde caudal) 21,10 ±2,40 mm. Histológicamente, la laringe de cerdo y humana presentan leves diferencias en cuanto al epitelio de cada porción de la laringe, a pesar de que el tipo de cartílago es el mismo en ambas especies. Conclusión: Si bien existen diferencias anatómicas e histológicas entre la laringe de cerdo y el humano, el modelo porcino es una alternativa útil, accesible y de bajo costo para el entrenamiento en cirugía laringotraqueal y microcirugía laríngea.

Introduction: The domestic pig larynx has similarities with the human larynx. The elastic capacity of the vocal folds of the pig has the greater similarity with the human one compared with other animals. It has been proposed to use the porcine larynx as a model for surgical training. Aim: To determine the anatomical and histological differences and similarities between the pig larynx and the human larynx. Material and method: Measurements were made by 4 observers in 5 porcine larynxes whose results were compared with those described in the literature. In addition, histological sections were performed to visualize elastic fibers, neutral mucins and acid mucins. Results: The porcine thyroid cartilage measured 37.55 ±7.30 mm between the upper horns, 31.33 ±3.27 mm between lower horns and 34.32 ±7.30 mm from the laryngeal prominence to the posterior margin. In the cricoid cartilage, from the upper-lower edge in the anterior arch 7.28 ±2.21mm, height upper-lower edge posterior wall 27.47 ±3.40 mm, maximum posterior wall width 30.99 ±4.51 mm, anteroposterior inner diameter (head margin) 30.90 ±2.12 mm, inner diameter anteroposterior (caudal edge) 21.78 ±2.55 mm, inner diameter right-left (head edge) 18.11 ±2.13 mm, inner diameter right-left (caudal edge) 21.10 ±2.40 mm. Histologically, the pig and human larynxes present slight differences in the epithelium of each portion of the larynx, despite the fact that type of cartilage is the same in both species. Conclusions: Although there are anatomical and histological differences between the pig larynx and the human larynx, the porcine model is a useful, accessible and low cost alternative for training in laryngotracheal surgery and laryngeal microsurgery.

Visual and electrophysiological identification of the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve in redo thyroid surgery compared with primary thyroid surgery

PURPOSE: Thyroid reoperations are surgically challenging because of significant anatomical variance. Visual and functional identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) were studied in 2 groups of patients who underwent primary and redo thyroid surgery. METHODS: This study was conducted on 200 patients: 100 patients with redo and 100 patients with primary thyroid surgery. In addition to visual identification, nerve branches were functionally identified by intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). Visual, functional, and total identification rates of the EBSLN in both primary and redo surgery were determined and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We attempted to identify 138 and 170 EBSLNs at risk in redo and primary surgery, respectively. Visual identification rates were 65.3% and 30.4% (P < 0.001) in primary and redo surgery groups, respectively. In total, 164 (96.5%) and 97 EBSLNs (70.3%) were identified in primary and redo surgery, respectively (P < 0.001), including the use of IONM. In primary surgery group, 53 nonvisualized EBSLNs of 164 identified nerves (32.3%) were determined by IONM alone. In redo surgery group, 55 of 97 identified nerves (56.7%) were determined by IONM alone (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both visual and total identification rates of the EBSLN are significantly decreased in reoperative thyroidectomy. IONM increases the total identification rate of the EBSLN in primary and redo thyroid surgery. Electrophysiological monitoring makes a substantial contribution to the identification of the EBSLN both in primary and especially in redo thyroid surgery.

Vagal Paraganglioma: Surgical Removal with Superior Laryngeal Nerve Preservation

Vagal paragangliomas (VPGLs) represent 70% of humans, providing motor fibers to the larynx. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. These tumors are therapeutically challenging owing to their proximity to vital neck and skull base structures. Early detection decreases surgical morbidity and mortality. Preservation of viable neural tissue is important in advanced disease.

Origin of superior thyroid artery: under the surgeon's knife / Origem da artéria tireoidea superior: sob o bisturi do cirurgião

The major arterial supply to the thyroid gland is from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, arising from the external carotid artery and the thyrocervical trunk respectively. The external laryngeal nerve runs in close proximity to the origin of the superior thyroid artery in relation to the thyroid gland. The superior thyroid artery is clinically important in head and neck surgeries. Objectives: To locate the origin of the superior thyroid artery, because wide variability is reported. To provide knowledge of possible variations in its origin, because it is important for surgical procedures in the neck. Methods: The origin of the superior thyroid artery was studied by dissecting sixty adult human hemineck specimens from donated cadavers in a Department of Anatomy. Results: The highest incidence observed was origin of the superior thyroid artery from the external carotid artery (88.33%), whereas origin from the common carotid bifurcation only occurred in 8.33%. However, in 3.33% of cases, the superior thyroid artery originated from the common carotid artery and in a single case, the external laryngeal nerve did not cross the stem of the superior thyroid artery at all, but ran ventral and parallel to the artery. Conclusions: It is important to rule out anomalous origin of superior thyroid artery and verify its relationship to the external laryngeal nerve prior to ligation of the artery in thyroid surgeries, in order to prevent iatrogenic injuries. Moreover, because anomalous origins of the superior thyroid artery are only anatomic variants, thorough knowledge of these is decisive for head and neck surgeries

O suprimento arterial principal para a glândula tireoide provém das artérias tireoideas superior e inferior, que têm origem na artéria carótida externa e no tronco tireocervical, respectivamente. O nervo laríngeo externo faz um percurso bem próximo à origem da artéria tireoidea superior em relação à glândula tireoide. A artéria tireoidea superior é clinicamente importante em cirurgias da cabeça e do pescoço. Objetivos: Localizar a origem da artéria tireoidea superior, considerando a ampla variabilidade descrita na literatura; e oferecer informações sobre possíveis variações em sua origem, devido à importância disso para procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados no pescoço. Métodos: A origem da artéria tireoidea superior foi estudada dissecando-se 60 espécimes de hemipescoço adulto de cadáveres humanos doados ao Departamento de Anatomia. Resultados: A maior incidência observada foi da artéria tireoidea superior com origem na artéria carótida externa (88,33%), enquanto a origem na bifurcação da artéria carótida comum ocorreu em apenas 8,33%. No entanto, em 3,33% dos casos, a artéria tireoidea superior teve origem na artéria carótida comum, e em um único caso, o nervo laríngeo externo não cruzou o tronco da artéria tireoidea superior em nenhum momento, embora tenha cursado ventral e paralelamente a essa artéria. Conclusões: É importante descartar origem anômala da artéria tireoidea superior e confirmar sua relação com o nervo laríngeo externo antes da ligadura da artéria em cirurgias da tireoide, para evitar efeitos iatrogênicos. Além disso, como origens anômalas da artéria tireoidea superior são apenas variantes anatômicas, o conhecimento detalhado dessas variações é decisivo para cirurgias da cabeça e do pescoço

Tos persistente y neuropatía laríngea / Persistent cough and laryngeal neuropathy

RESUMEN La tos persistente es un síntoma de consulta frecuente, de origen multifactorial, que involucra a diferentes especialidades como la neumología, la gastroenterología y la otorrinolaringología. Sus causas más frecuentes son la descarga nasal posterior, tos como variante del asma y reflujo gastroesofágico/faringolaríngeo. Una vez descartadas dichas causas, cobran importancia los trastornos sensoriales del nervio vago, una entidad relativamente nueva que también es conocida como neuropatía laríngea sensitiva. En la neuropatía laríngea, una injuria a nivel neuronal aferente del reflejo de la tos produce un estado de hipersensibilidad laríngea en la que estímulos normalmente ignorados (que no producen respuesta tusígena) comienzan a gatillar el reflejo. Las características clínicas de la tos y el descarte de las causas más frecuentes permite llegar a este diagnóstico. Su tratamiento tiene como objetivo la modulación de las vías neuronales alteradas basándose en 3 pilares: educación sobre la patología, recomendaciones conductuales (higiene vocal, estrategias de reducción de tos) y los fármacos entre los que se usan los inhibidores de bomba de protones, mucolíticos y neuromoduladores.

ABSTRACT Persistent cough is a common symptom for medical consultation, it is of multifactorial origin and involves different specialties such as pneumology gastroenterology and otorhinolaryngology. The most frequent causes are postnasal drip, cough variant asthma and gastroesophageal/pharyngolaryngeal reflux. Once these causes are discarded the vagus nerve sensory disorder becomes of importance, it is a relatively new entity also known as laryngeal sensitive neuropathy. In the laryngeal neuropathy, an injury in the afferent neuronal pathway of the cough reflex produces laryngeal hypersensitivity in which normally ignored stimulus (i.e. do not cause cough) start to trigger the reflex. The clinical features of the cough and the rule out of the most frequent causes allow the diagnosis. The objective of the treatment is to modulate the altered neuronal pathways based on 3 pillars: education regarding the pathology, behavioral recommendations (vocal hygiene, cough reduction strategies) and drugs among which proton pump inhibitors, mucolytics and neuromodulators are used.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics Between Patients With Different Causes of Vocal Cord Immobility

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.

Efeitos da terapia manual laríngea e da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) na diadococinesia laríngea em mulheres disfônicas: estudo clínico randomizado / Effects of laryngeal manual therapy (LMT) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in vocal folds diadochokinesis of dysphonic women: a randomized clinical trial

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar e comparar os efeitos da terapia manual laríngea (TML) e da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) na diadococinesia laríngea de mulheres disfônicas. Método Participaram 20 mulheres com nódulos vocais, divididas igualmente por sorteio em: Grupo TML–aplicação de TML; Grupo TENS–aplicação de TENS; ambos receberam 12 sessões de tratamento, duas vezes por semana, 20 minutos cada, pelo mesmo terapeuta. As mulheres foram avaliadas quanto à diadococinesia (DDC) laríngea em três momentos, diagnóstico, pré-tratamento e pós-tratamento, o que produziu três grupos de medidas. A gravação da DDC foi realizada por meio da repetição entrecortada das vogais: /a/ e /i/. A análise da DDC foi realizada pelo programa Motor Speech Profile Advanced (MSP)-KayPentax. Os parâmetros da DDC das três avaliações foram comparados entre si pelo teste t pareado (p≤0,05). Resultados Parâmetros DDC se apresentaram semelhantes na fase sem tratamento, indicando que não houve variabilidade individual ao longo do tempo. Não houve modificação em relação à velocidade da DDC após intervenções, mas após TML, a DDC da vogal /i/ se apresentou mais estável em relação à duração do período e à intensidade das emissões. Estes resultados indicam que TML melhorou a coordenação de movimentos das pregas vocais à fonação. Não houve modificações dos parâmetros da DDC em relação à estabilidade das emissões após TENS. Conclusão TML promove maior regularidade de movimentos diadococinéticos das pregas vocais em mulheres disfônicas, o que amplia o conhecimento sobre o efeito do reequilíbrio da musculatura laríngea na função fonatória, já TENS não proporciona efeitos na diadococinesia laríngea.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify and compare the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and laryngeal manual therapy (LMT) on laryngeal diadochokinesis (DDK) of dysphonic women. Methods Twenty women with bilateral vocal nodules participated and were equally divided into: LMT Group – LMT application; TENS Group – TENS application; both groups received 12 sessions of treatment, twice a week, with a duration of 20 minutes each, applied by the same therapist. The women were evaluated as to laryngeal DDK at three moments: diagnostic, pre-treatment, and post-treatment, which produced three groups of measurements. The DDK recording was performed with intersected repetition of vowels /a/ and / i/. The analysis of vowels was performed by the program Motor Speech Profile Advanced (MSP)-KayPentax. The DDK parameters of the three evaluations were compared by means of the paired t-test (p≤0.05). Results The measurements of laryngeal DDK parameters were similar in the phase without treatment, indicating no individual variability over time. There was no change with respect to the speed of DDK after intervention, but after LMT, DDK of the vowel /i/ was more stable in terms of the duration of the emissions and intensity of emissions repeated. These results show improved coordination of vocal folds movement during phonation. There were no changes in the DDK parameters following TENS. Conclusion LMT provides greater regularity of movement during laryngeal diadochokinesis in dysphonic women, which extends knowledge on the effect of rebalancing the larynx muscles during phonation, although TENS does not impact laryngeal diadochokinesis.

Oncoplastic Thyroid Surgery Using A Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach

Since the first use of the robot da Vinci system for thyroid surgery in 2007, robotic thyroidectomy (RT) via a bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) has become a popular surgical alternative for patients who wish to avoid scars on the neck. BABA RT provides excellent cosmetic satisfaction with surgical safety and oncologic completeness. Recently, the use of BABA RT has expanded beyond benign thyroid nodules and small-sized papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) to Graves' disease, relatively large PTCs, and PTC with lateral neck metastasis. Unfortunately, there are concerns about the use of this procedure for these additional indications. This review article summarizes postoperative outcomes of BABA RT for thyroid carcinoma, including quality of life, as well as expanding indications for BABA RT.

Effect of denervating duration on the surgical outcome of laryngeal reinnervation in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of denervating duration on the surgical outcome of laryngeal reinnervation in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The charts of 467 consecutive patients with UVFP were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative data, including videostroboscopy, perceptual evaluation of voice (GRBAS scale), acoustic analysis, maximum phonation time (MPT) and laryngeal reinnervation were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible influential factors including the age of patient, gender, degree of nerve injury and duration of nerve injury. Then stratification analysis was performed on the variable-duration of nerve injury, to study how the duration of nerve injury could affect the surgical outcome of laryngeal reinnervation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the age of patient, degree of nerve injury and duration of nerve injury were significant variables. Stratification analysis on duration of nerve injury demonstrated that in each subgroup postoperative data were significantly improved. When compared among the three subgroups, postoperative data in group with a duration of 6-12 months and group with a duration 12-24 months were significantly better than group with a duration more than 24 months. However, there were no significant differences between group with a duration of 6-12 months and 12-24 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surgical outcome of laryngeal reinnervation is better in patients those with a duration of nerve injury less than 2 years than in those with a duration of nerve injury more than 2 years.</p>

Voice Care for the Post-Thyroidectomy Dysphonia

Hoarseness is a postoperative complication of thyroidectomy, mostly due to damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Hoarseness may also be brought about via vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) due to injury of the vocal cords from manipulations during anesthesia, as well as from psychogenic disorders and respiratory and upper-GI related infections. The clinician or surgeon should 1) document assessment of the patient's voice once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery ; 2) examine vocal fold mobility, or refer the patient to a clinician who can examine vocal fold mobility 3) examine vocal fold mobility, or refer the patient to a clinician who can examine vocal fold mobility, once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery 4) educate the patient about the potential impact of thyroid surgery on voice once a decision has been made to proceed with thyroid surgery ; 5) inform the anesthesiologist of the results of abnormal preoperative laryngeal assessment in patients who have had laryngoscopy prior to thyroid surgery ; 6) take steps to preserve the external branch of the surperior laryngeal nerve(s) when performing thyroid surgery ; 7) document whether there has been a change in voice between 2 weeks and 2 months following thyroid surgery ; 8) examine vocal fold mobility or refer the patient for examination of vocal fold mobility in patients with a change in voice following thyroid surgery ; 9) refer a patient to an otolaryngologist when abnormal vocal fold mobility is identified after thyroid surgery ; 10) counsel patients with voice change or abnormal vocal fold mobility after thyroid surgery on options for voice rehabilitation.

A Case of Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Induced by Concurrent Rheumatoid Arthritis Involvement of Laryngeal Nerve and Cricoarytenoid Joint

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a connective tissue disease involving the larynx in 30% of the patients. Foreign body sensation, hoarseness, and cough are common symptoms in laryngeal involvement. An urgent tracheostomy is required when acute airway obstruction occurs in case of bilateral vocal fold paralysis. The most common cause of bilateral vocal fold paralysis in RA patients is a cricoarytenoid joint arthritis. Laryngeal nerve degeneration is rare cause of bilateral vocal fold paralysis in RA patients. In this case report, an emergent tracheostomy was performed on a 64-years-old male patient with acute dyspnea, and concurrent involvement of RA on laryngeal nerve and cricoarytenoid joint was revealed by laryngeal electromyography and histopathology. The vocal fold mobility was restored after 3-months medical treatment.

Non-recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Identified During Robotic Thyroidectomy in a Patient with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

A non-recurrent laryngeal nerve is a rare anatomical variant that entails considerable risk for iatrogenic injury during thyroid surgery. We encountered a patient with a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve that went unnoticed on preoperative imaging but was discovered incidentally during robotic thyroidectomy. A 44 year old woman presented at our department with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, diagnosed by ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology. During robotic right thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection, we could not detect any structure resembling the recurrent laryngeal nerve around the inferior thyroid artery. Thus, we suspected the existence of a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve, and successfully identified a nerve entering the larynx directly from the vagus nerve without recurring. A three-dimensional high magnification view via a robotic endoscope can aid thyroid surgeons to safely identify and preserve a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Surgical Technique for the Functional Preservation of the Inferior Parathyroid Glands

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The inferior parathyroid glands receive their blood supply from the inferior thyroid artery. The anatomic relationship of this artery and the recurrent laryngeal nerve can assume three different patterns. To maintain the vascular supply of the inferior parathyroid glands during central neck dissection, we considered the anatomic relationship of these structures in our surgical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibrofatty tissue in the central neck compartment was removed by dissection proceeding along the recurrent laryngeal nerve. During the dissection, care was taken not to injure the vascular supply of the inferior parathyroid gland. RESULTS: For an inferior parathyroid gland that receives its blood supply from the posterolateral vascular pedicle, preservation is achieved by performing the dissection along the recurrence laryngeal nerve on the gland's medial side. In patients in whom the inferior thyroid artery travels deep to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve, such that the right parathyroid gland receives its blood supply from the posteromedial vascular pedicle, central neck dissection should be performed carefully along the lateral side of the gland to preserve the pedicle. CONCLUSION: Preservation of inferior parathyroid gland function requires a detailed understanding of the anatomic relationship between the inferior thyroid artery and recurrent laryngeal nerve. The direction of the dissection along the nerve should be adjusted according to its anatomic relationship to the inferior thyroid artery.

Analysis of Voice and Swallowing Symptoms after Thyroidectomy in Patients without Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury in Early Postoperative Period

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After thyroidectomy, many patients experience problems report such things as reduced voice range and vocal fatigue, swallowing problems without superior and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate voice and swallowing problems before and after thyroid surgery without laryngeal nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three patients who underwent thyroidectomy without laryngeal nerve injury and completed the follow-up evaluations were studied between June 2013 and December 2015. Each evaluation was performed preoperatively, as well as 1 week, 1 month postoperatively. Analysis was performed including voice handicap index (VHI), dysphagia handicap index (DHI), and acoustic voice analysis. RESULTS: Patients show significant variation of parameters in the fundamental frequency (F), maximal phonation time (MPT), shimmer, jitter and soft phonation index (SPI) early after operation, and most of them showed recovery of parameters after 1month of operation. Perceptive complaint of voice and swallowing also showed significant decreased after operation (p<0.005). After 1 month of operation, MPT, highest frequency and frequency ranges still showed significant decreased parameters. Comparing acoustic and perceptive parameters of total thyroidectomy and lobectomy, there was no significant changes between them except highest frequency (p=0.042). CONCLUSION: The results from both subjective and objective evaluations show voice and swallowing disturbance after thyroidectomy even in the absence of laryngeal nerve and provide patients information about the recovery process after surgery. Highest frequency parameter showed most significant changes after operation.

The Effect of Total Thyroidectomy on the Speech Production

OBJECTIVES: Voice and speech alternations that can occur after total thyroidectomy are usually due to recurrent or superior laryngeal nerve injury. These alterations may also be associated with other extralaryngeal factors, such as neck muscle dysfunction and scar contracture of the neck. We performed a prospective acoustic analysis on speech changes after surgery, in the absence of laryngeal nerve injury. METHODS: Patients aged 19 to 58 years undergoing total thyroidectomy, in the absence of laryngeal/pulmonary disease, previous neck surgery, or other malignant diseases, were recruited prospectively. For the running speech analysis, the speaking fundamental frequencies (SFo), range of SFo and speaking intensity were evaluated before surgery, 7 days, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. For consonant analysis, the acoustic distinctions of stop consonant, the voice onset time (VOT), vowel duration and closure duration were evaluated at the same periods. RESULTS: SFo and range of SFo were specifically diminished after surgery, while speaking intensities were not changed significantly after surgery. The thyroidectomized speakers displayed systematically varied VOT for the consonant production, which was phonetically representative. However, VOT after surgery could be longer in the strong aspirated and glottalized stops, but not in the lax stop than before surgery. The vowel and closure durations were not affected before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients with thyroidectomy have some difficulty of pitch control and consonant articulation during speaking. VOT is also one of the meaningful acoustic parameters and provide a reference for comparing acoustic measures before and after thyroidectomy.

A Case of Neurofibroma Arising from the Aryepiglottic Fold of Type I Neurofibromatosis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Neurofibroma of the larynx is a rare disease and associated with von Recklinghausen's disease may take place as an isolated lesion or a part of multiple neurofibromatosis. A case of laryngeal neurofibroma was the first reported by Suchanek in 1925. Especially the aryepiglottic folds are the usual sites of occurrence for laryngeal neurofibroma, because the branch of the superior laryngeal nerve is involved. We present here a case of neurofibroma in a 23-year-old male who complained of voice change and throat discomfort, all of which persisted for 6 months. We report a case of huge neurofibroma arising from the aryepiglottic fold.