Comparative analysis of early and mid-stage nerve decompression and nerve anastomosis for traumatic recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To explore therapeutic effect,indication and timing of nerve decompression for traumatic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury inducing vocal cord paralysis. Methods A total of 42 patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury inducing vocal cord paralysis within six months, were divided into nerve decompression group (15 cases), end to end anastomosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve group (six cases) and nonsurgical treatment (21 cases). Nerve decompression was performed in the patients who were operatively found to have compressing sutures or compression due to cicatricial hypertrophy. Results In 13 patients with a course less than four months, nerve decompression restored normal functional adductory and abductory motion of the vocal cord in 11 patients and motionless in two. Although functional motion of vocal cord was not seen in two patients with a course less than four months and two longer than four months, the mass and tension of the reinnervated vocal cord became much the same as the contralateral normal vocal cord, thus resuming symmetric vibration of the vocal cords and physiological phonation. End-to-end anastomosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve failed to restore motion of the glottis. Nevertheless, the procedures enabled adductory muscles to be reinnervated and then restored normal voice. Although nonsurgical treatment improved severe hoarseness, the vocal cord didn't restore normal functional motion of the vocal cord and normal voice. Conclusions Early and mid-stage recurrent laryngeal nerve decompression may restore normal motion of the vocal cord. End-to-end anastomosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve enables adductory muscles to be reinnervated and thus restores normal voice.