Is dysphonia permanent or temporary after anterior cervical approach?
The rate, causes and prognosis of dysphonia after anterior cervical approach (ACA) were investigated in our clinical series. During a 10-year interval, 235 consecutive patients with cervical disc disease underwent surgical treatment using anterior approach. Retrospective chart reviews showed recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in 3 (1.27%) patients. All three patients were men and only one patient had multilevel surgery. These patients had RLN injury after virgin surgery. Laryngoscopic examination demonstrated unilateral vocal cord paralysis in all patients who had postoperative dysphonia. No permanent dysphonia was observed in our series and patients recovered after a mean of 2 months (range 1-3 months) duration. Dysphonia after ACA was a rare complication in our clinical series. Pressure on RLN or retraction may result in temporary dysphonia.
Kahraman
Serdar
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, 06018, Ankara, Turkey. serkah@hotmail.com
Sirin
Sait
S
Erdogan
Ersin
E
Atabey
Cem
C
Daneyemez
Mehmet
M
Gonul
Engin
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology