title: Changes of Laryngeal Mobility and Symptoms Following Thyroid Surgery: 6-Month Follow-Up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Swallowing disorders are frequent complaints after thyroidectomy even in the absence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The aim of this study was to assess different symptoms in relation to laryngeal mobility following thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  53 patients (mean age 52.4 ± 12.5 years; 36 female) with initially benign diagnosis and intact recurrent nerve functioning were prospectively evaluated. Laryngeal movement was analyzed by ultrasound preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, a dysphagia and voice-specific quality-of-life questionnaire was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean laryngeal movement differed between genders preoperatively and postoperatively resulting in a recovery predominantly in women (reduction of mobility at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively in females was 6.0, 3.7, and 1.5 mm, and in males 13.8, 11.7, and 10.3 mm, respectively). Mainly, women reported hoarseness (9 females) and cervical discomfort (7 females, 3 males) 1 month postoperatively. After 6 months, these complaints resolved (cervical discomfort 1 female).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laryngeal mobility was significantly impaired postoperatively and only females revealed a recovery close to baseline after 6 months. Although showing only a small grade of recovery of laryngeal movement, subjective clinical symptoms were found to be rare in male patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. antje.gohrbandt@unimedizin-mainz.de.
authors.forename: Antje E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gohrbandt
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aschoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gohrbandt
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keilmann
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Hauke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Musholt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality