Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) following esophagectomy for carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to report the frequency of post-operative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) following resection for esophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
Four hundred and four patients were studied. Diagnosis of post-operative RLNP was performed by indirect laryngoscopy. Tumour characteristics, surgical approach and perioperative morbidity and mortality following esophageal resection were recorded.


RESULTS
Sixty patients were diagnosed with post-operative RLNP, of whom 47 had a unilateral and 16 a bilateral lesion. RLNP was more frequently diagnosed after transhiatal resection with cervical esophagogastrostomy as compared to abdomino-thoracic resection (p=0.06). A higher rate of post-operative pneumonia was evident in patients with RLNP (33 of 63 as opposed to 90 of 341; p=0.027).


CONCLUSIONS
RLNP is associated with a significant morbidity, especially pulmonary complications after resection of esophageal cancer.
Gockel
I
I
Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55101 Mainz, Germany. gockel@ach.klinik.uni-mainz-de
Kneist
W
W
Keilmann
A
A
Junginger
Th
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*