title: Chronic vocal cord palsy in Thuringia, Germany: a population-based study on epidemiology and outcome.
abstract: Although surgical treatment of patients with chronic vocal cord palsy (VCP) is an integral part of clinical routine of otorhinolaryngologists, there is nearly no population-based data published on incidence and efficiency of this surgery country-wide or nation-wide. 1430 patients with chronic VCP were treated in a department of otorhinolaryngology between 2005 and 2010 in Thuringia, Germany. VCP was unilateral and bilateral in 63 and 18%, respectively. The affected side was not documented in 20%. Iatrogenic lesions of the recurrent nerve (42%) and neoplastic infiltration (27%) were the leading etiologies. 192 patients (13%) received surgical treatment. 31% of patient needed more than one surgery. The rate of surgeries was higher for bilateral VCP (p < 0.0001). Vocal cord augmentation was the most frequent surgery for unilateral VCP and posterior cordectomy for bilateral VCP. The complication rate was high (16%), but not different between unilateral and bilateral VCP (p = 0.108). The risk for tracheostomy was higher in the bilateral VCP group (p < 0.0001). Voice improvement was better after treatment of unilateral VCP (p < 0.0001). Breathing improvement was more frequent after bilateral VCP (p = 0.028). Dysphagia did not improve significantly. The rate of better voice, breathing, and swallowing function was higher in patients treated surgically than without surgery (all p < 0.0001). The rate of patients admitted for treatment of vocal fold palsy was 9.9/100,000 habitants. The surgical rate of VCP was 1.38/100,000 habitants. This population-based analysis shows that surgery for VCP is performed with higher incidence than expected effectively, but with relevant risks in daily routine of otorhinolaryngologists.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Lessingstrasse 2, 07740, Jena, Germany.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Djugai
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Boeger
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Buentzel
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Esser
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Hoffmann
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Jecker
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mueller
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Radtke
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Bohne
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Finkensieper
authors: G F
authors: GF
authors: Volk
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Guntinas-Lichius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
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