[How to avoid hoarseness for operation of schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve].
OBJECTIVE
To avoid hoarseness for operation of schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve (SVN).


METHODS
From Jan. 1997 to Sept. 2001, ten cases of SVN were operated. The procedures were as follows: Exposing the tumor and the vagus nerve, confirming its origin from the fascicle of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or the fascicle of non-RLN, making an small incision on the posterolateral surface of the tumor, usually posterior to the internal jugular vein, and then tearing and enlarging the small incision to enucleate the tumor.


RESULTS
Two of the four cases of SVN originated from the fascicle of RLN happened temporary hoarseness and other two without hoarseness. All six cases of SVN originated from the fascicle of non-RLN, but one, happened no hoarseness.


CONCLUSIONS
Above-mentioned technique is a good and reliable method to avoid hoarseness in the operation of SVN.
Wang
Hong-shi
HS
Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. wangzhyc@hotmail.com
Wang
Zhuo-ying
ZY
Li
Duan-shu
DS
D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020421:Vagus Nerve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*