title: [Reduced quality of life in patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis after thoracic surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative unilateral vocal cord paralysis (URLNP) may lead to a lower quality of life due to dysphonia, dysphagia, and reduced breathing control. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life in a group of patients with URLNP compared to a group without URLNP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laryngoscopically, 379 patients were examined before and after thoracic surgery. Of the group with permanent URLNP (n=14), nine patients were compared to ten without URLNP regarding voice function and quality of life using selected European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires (QLQ-C30, H&N35, OES18, and LC13) and the voice dysfunction index by Nawka.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with URLNP reported more voice problems and less effective coughing. Further, they had a reduced of quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend early diagnosis of URLNP and therapy management by routine laryngoscopic examinations following thoracic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Phoniatrie - Logopädie, Universitätsklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Krankheiten Wien. michael.zumtobel@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zumtobel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: End
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bigenzahn
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klepetko
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D013997:Time Factors; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology