[Repair of recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries after thyroidectomy].
OBJECTIVE
In order to investigate the opportunity of repair and prognosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries after thyroidectomy.


METHODS
Twelve cases with recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries after thyroidectomy were immediately and delayed operated on nerve repair and reinnervation. In immediate operation, 5 cases were repaired by direct recurrent laryngeal nerve suture, and 1 case was treated by transposition of the phrenic nerve to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and sutured the adductor branch to the branch of ansa cervicalis. In delayed operation, 3 cases were treated by anastomosis the main trunk of ansa cervicalis to the adductor branch of recurrent laryngeal nerve, and 3 cases were operated on neuromuscular pedicle to reinnervate posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.


RESULTS
Followed up 6 months, the effect was excellent in 1 case who was immediately operated by selective reinnervation of the abductor and adductor muscles of the larynx, better in 9 cases, and poor in 2 cases who were delayed operated over 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that the earlier reinnervation is performed, the better prognosis is.
Wen
W
W
Department of Otolaryngology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China 200433.
Zhou
S M
SM
Li
Z J
ZJ
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors