A Novel Technique for Thyroplasty Type 1, With Prolene Mesh Implant

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy of a modified approach to thyroplasty type one using prolene mesh implant.

STUDY DESIGN

Interventional study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Combined Military Hospital Kharian, Pakistan, in Ent department, from July 2020 to Jan 2021.

METHODOLOGY

Medialization thyroplasty with prolene mesh was performed on the patients satisfying the inclusion criteria. They were analyzed objectively as well as subjectively in terms of Mean Maximum phonation time, maximum word count, and visual analog score about the quality of voice. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Pre-operative and post-operative records were compared using paired sample t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 39 patients underwent vocal cord medialization with prolene mesh implant. The Mean age for medialization was 41.09 + 13.37. 23 patients were females and 15 were males. 26 patients had unilateral and 13 patients had bilateral vocal dysfunction. 18 of them had vocal dysfunction due to thyroidectomy, eight had idiopathic causes and 13 had miscellaneous. The improvement in mean visual analog score was 2.87 postoperatively. Median maximum phonation time increased about five seconds postoperatively, seven seconds in males, and 4.5 seconds for females. The maximum word count increased from 11.33 preoperatively to 18.28 postoperatively. There were no major complications observed in our study.

CONCLUSION

These results were comparable to many other studies for vocal cord medialization with different implant materials. But prolene mesh implant offers an easily available yet cost-effective alternative with similar benefits.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III (Treatment benefits: Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study).

Professor FU Wenbin's experience of "acupuncture-moxibustion-consolidation" holistic idea in treatment of laryngeal herpes zoster with vocal cord paralysis

This paper introduces professor FU Wenbin's clinical experience in the treatment of laryngeal herpes zoster with vocal cord paralysis, using the holistic mode of treatment, in which, acupuncture, moxibustion and consolidation regimens are integrated. Regarding the core pathogenesis of the disease, the invaded exogenous toxic heat is transformed into fire that flows to the throat. Soothing liver and releasing heat is the general principle of treatment, guiding the entire process of treatment. For acupuncture regimen, the filiform needling is used and the acupoint prescription is composed of Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 24+), Lianquan (CV 23), the four-gate points (bilateral Hegu [LI 4] and Taichong [LR 3]), the group points for conducting qi back to the primary (Zhongwan [CV 12], Xiawan [CV 10], Qihai [CV 6] and Guanyuan [CV 4]), as well as bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12) and Yifeng (TE 17). Besides, the pricking technique is delivered to the posterior wall of the pharynx for soothing the liver, regulating the spirit, reducing the heat and benefiting the throat. For the moxibustion regimen, moxibustion is applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Feishu (BL 13), the four-flower points (bilateral Geshu [BL 17] and Danshu [BL 19]), Shenshu (BL 23) and Mingmen (GV 4), which nourishes the spleen and stomach and reduces the heat pathogen through the heating action of moxibustion specially. In the stage of consolidation, the bloodletting and cupping technique is used at Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18) and Jianjing (GB 21) to eliminate the liver stagnation and the intradermal needling is delivered to sustain the needling stimulation and consolidate the therapeutic effect.

Bilateral Functional Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Presbyphonia in a Sheep Model

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to increase muscle volume and improve phonation characteristics of the aged ovine larynx by functional electrical stimulation (FES) using a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

METHODS

Stimulation electrodes were placed bilaterally near the terminal adduction branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN). The electrodes were connected to battery powered pulse generators implanted subcutaneously at the neck region. Training patterns were programmed by an external programmer using a bidirectional radio frequency link. Training sessions were repeated automatically by the implant every other day for 1 week followed by every day for 8 weeks in the awake animal. Another group of animals were used as sham, with electrodes positioned but not connected to an implant. Outcome parameters included gene expression analysis, histological assessment of muscle fiber size, functional analysis, and volumetric measurements based on three-dimensional reconstructions of the entire thyroarytenoid muscle (TAM).

RESULTS

Increase in minimal muscle fiber diameter and an improvement in vocal efficiency were observed following FES, compared with sham animals.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to demonstrate beneficial effects in the TAM of FES at molecular, histological, and functional levels. FES of the terminal branches of the RLN reversed the effects of age-related changes and improved vocal efficiency.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:848-854, 2024.

Palatal prolapse during nasal expiration in patients with myasthenia gravis

INTRODUCTION/AIMS

We have encountered patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who exhibited palatal prolapse (PP) during nasal expiration in the supine position while awake. This may be an overlooked cause of dyspnea in MG patients. This study aimed to examine and describe the characteristics of MG patients with PP.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 183 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with MG in our hospital from 2012 to 2021. Thirty-two patients underwent laryngoscopy because of bulbar symptoms. Eight of these patients (25%) exhibited PP on laryngoscopy. Clinical features of these eight patients were retrospectively characterized.

RESULTS

Median age of the eight patients with PP was 70 years. Six were men. Median body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2 . All patients exhibited PP in the supine position but not the sitting position. Although no patient had abnormal findings on spirometry nor chest computed tomography, six reported dyspnea or difficulty with nasal expiration only in the supine position. PP improved in all four patients who underwent edrophonium testing. All eight patients eventually improved after immunotherapy.

DISCUSSION

PP during nasal expiration may be a cause of dyspnea in MG patients, along with respiratory muscle impairment, lung disease, and vocal cord paralysis. Laryngoscopy in the supine position is required to confirm.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Neural Monitoring During Thoracoscopic Surgery for Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) induces aspiration pneumonia and reduces the patient's quality of life. To decrease the incidence of RLNP, we performed intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) during thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer and evaluated its usefulness.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 737 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. Between May 1995 and March 2016, thoracoscopic esophagectomies were performed using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with a small incision, whereas from April to June 2023, we used positive pressure pneumothorax with port placement only [minimum invasive esophagectomy (MIE)]. A total of 110 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery with IONM (IONM group) were retrospectively compared with those who underwent VATS or MIE without IONM (No-IONM group).

RESULTS

The incidence of RLNP [Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification of ≥1] on postoperative day (POD) 5 was 13.9% in the IONM group, which was significantly lower than that of the no-IONM group (31.2%, p<0.001). Even when comparing only patients who underwent MIE, the incidence of RLNP on POD5 was 13.9% in the IONM group, which was significantly lower than that in the no-IONM group (26.2%, p=0.035). The incidence of postoperative pneumonia (CD ≥2) was 10.9% in the IONM group, which was significantly lower than that in the no-IONM group (26.1%, p=0.005). Bilateral RLNP did not occur in any of the IONM groups.

CONCLUSION

IONM is a useful tool for reducing RLNP incidence and postoperative pneumonia after thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer.

Long-term impact of prophylactic central neck dissection in non-invasive classic papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The utilization of prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in cases of non-invasive clinical node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains a topic of debate, with a dearth of long-term evidence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1181 cN0 PTC patients from 1997 to 2011. Of these, 641 underwent pCND (pCND + group) and 540 did not (pCND-group). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to identify similar patients. Event-free survival and long-term complications including permanent hyperparathyroidism and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis were analyzed after PSM.

RESULTS

The pCND + group had more aggressive characteristics. In the matched cohort after PSM, the 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year EFS rates were 98.9 %, 98.2 %, and 97.1 % for the pCND + group, and 97.7 %, 97.1 %, and 97.1 % for the pCND-group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in EFS rates between the two groups (Log Rank P = 0.38). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of permanent hyperparathyroidism (3.3 % vs. 1.5 %, P = 0.08) and permanent RLN paralysis (1.7 % vs. 0.9 %, P = 0.13) between the pCND+ and pCND- groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study, with a median follow-up duration of 107 months, indicates that pCND does not lead to a significant reduction in nodal recurrence among non-invasive cN0 PTC patients.

Vocal cord movement: can it be accurately graded?

INTRODUCTION

Flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) is the principal assessment method for vocal cord movement. Because the procedure is inherently subjective it may not be possible for clinicians to grade the degree of vocal cord movement reliably. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and consistency of grading vocal cord movement as viewed via FNE.

METHODS

Thirty FNE videos, without sound or clinical information, were assessed by six consultant head and neck surgeons. The surgeons were asked to assess and grade right and left vocal cord movement independently, based on a five-category scale. This process was repeated three times on separate occasions. Agreement and reliability were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean overall observed inter-rater agreement was 67.7% (sd 1.9) with the five-category scale, increasing to 91.4% (sd 1.9) when a three-category scale was derived. Mean overall observed intra-rater agreement was 78.3% (sd 9.7) for five categories, increasing to 93.1% (sd 3.3) for three categories. Discriminating vocal cord motion was less reliable using the five-category scale (k = 0.52) than with the three-category scale (k = 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates quantitatively that it is challenging to accurately and consistently grade subtle differences in vocal cord movement, as proven by the reduced agreement and reliability when using a five-point scale instead of a three-point scale. The study highlights the need for an objective measure to help in the assessment of vocal cord movement.

Endoscopic posterior ventricular cordectomy with contact diode laser: how I do it

BACKGROUND

The treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis is mainly surgical and several procedures can be used to guarantee adequate breathing. Furthermore, other causes of the narrowing of the natural airways could coexist and the treatment should consider all of them.

METHODS

A supraglottic extension of posterior cordectomy to the false homolateral chord is described, which provides a further widening of the airway while maintaining acceptable voice quality.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic posterior ventricular cordectomy performed by contact diode laser may be a viable and safe option, especially in those patients who present bilateral vocal fold paralysis associated with various degrees of laryngospasm.

Comparison of Various Thyroidectomy Approaches: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

To avoid anterior neck scarring, numerous remote-access techniques to approach the thyroid gland (Remote access approach) have been described, including the transaxillary approach (TA), bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA), and transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT). Popular worldwide, Remote access approachs have unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Herein, we investigated the characteristics of these distinct thyroidectomy approaches to aid surgeons in selecting the most appropriate method for patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 2351 cases of patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2019 and 2021 were reviewed, including 1973, 281, 66, and 31 patients who underwent the conventional transcervical approach (TCA), TA, BABA, and TORT, respectively. Demographic characteristics, outcomes, and complications associated with these procedures were compared. The data were analyzed using the Student t test and the χ 2 test. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used if normality was not found.

RESULTS

Central lymph nodes (LNs) were retrieved mostly in patients who underwent lobectomy through TORT (mean: 9.4, P < 0.001). Metastatic central LNs were found more frequently (mean: 1.9 in lobectomy, 3.7 in total thyroidectomy) in patients who underwent lobectomy through TCA and TORT than in those who underwent lobectomy through other approaches (mean: 1.4 and 2.4, respectively, P < 0.05). BABA group patients had significantly fewer central LNs retrieved than those in other groups in lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (mean: 4.8 and 6.2, respectively, P < 0.05). Stimulated thyroglobulin levels did not differ among the 4 groups. The incidence of transient vocal cord palsy was statistically higher in the BABA group (5 cases, 7.5%) than in the other groups; however, all patients recovered. No difference was found in permanent vocal cord palsy (0.4% in TCA) or hypoparathyroidism (1.3% to 3.1%) among the 4 groups. The tumor size was significantly larger in the BABA group than in the other groups, with 10.6% of the patients having tumors larger than 4 cm. Total thyroidectomy was performed more frequently in the BABA group (51.8%) than in the other groups ( P = 0.005). The path of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was more evident in TA, and the Cernea type was confirmed and preserved in 90.6% of TA cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to the differences in working space and direction of the surgical field, TA was advantageous for preserving the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, whereas BABA was effective for total thyroidectomy and excision of large goiters. TORT was beneficial for central compartment neck dissection. These characteristics should be considered when choosing the best approach to improving cosmesis, function, and recurrence.

The use of basic fibroblast growth factor to improve vocal function: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines if intralaryngeal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) can improve voice outcomes in those with vocal disability.

DESIGN

A Systematic review of original human studies reporting voice outcomes following intra-laryngeal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 in those with vocal dysfunction. Databases searched were Medline (1946-July 2022), Embase (1947-July 2022), Cochrane database and Google Scholar.

SETTING

Secondary or tertiary care centres that undertook the management of voice pathology Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion criteria were original human studies reporting voice outcome measurements following intralaryngeal injection of FGF2 to treat vocal fold atrophy, vocal fold scarring, vocal fold sulcus or vocal fold palsy. Articles not written in English, studies that did not include human subjects and studies where voice outcome measures were not recorded before and after FGF2 injection were excluded from the review.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was maximum phonation time. Secondary outcome measures included acoustic analysis, glottic closure, mucosal wave formation, voice handicap index and GRBAS scale.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles were included out of a search of 1023 and one article was included from scanning reference lists. All studies had a single arm design without control groups. Conditions treated were vocal fold atrophy (n = 186), vocal cord paralysis (n = 74), vocal fold fibrosis (n = 74) and vocal fold sulcus (n = 56). A meta-analysis of six articles reporting on the use of FGF2 in patients with vocal fold atrophy showed a significant increase of mean maximum phonation time of 5.2 s (95% CI: 3.4-7.0) at 3-6 months following injection. A significant improvement in maximum phonation time, voice handicap index and glottic closure was found following injection in most studies assessed. No major adverse events were reported following injection.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, intralaryngeal injection of basic FGF2 appears to be safe and it may be able to improve voice outcomes in those with vocal dysfunction, especially vocal fold atrophy. Randomised controlled trials are needed to further evaluate efficacy and support the wider use of this therapy.

Pediatric Bilateral Vocal Cord Immobility: New Treatment With Preservation of Voice

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric bilateral vocal cord immobility (BVCI) represents a severe life-threatening condition that often causes severe dyspnea. Endoscopic arytenoid lateral abduction (EALA) is a relatively new, secure, minimal-invasive surgical technique. The present prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of EALA in terms of respiratory function, voice quality, and swallowing capabilities.

METHODS

Twenty-one pediatric patients with BVCI underwent EALA. Eleven out of 21 patients had tracheostomy at the time of surgery. Pre and postoperative functional assessments included endoscopic evaluation, maximum phonation time, pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI), GIRBAS Scale criteria, and Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding scale (MCH-Feeding scale). peak tidal inspiratory flow or peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and number of desaturations/hour (ODI/h) were evaluated in patients without tracheostomy.

RESULTS

Postoperative endoscopy showed glottic airway improvement in all patients. Average time for decannulation was 4.6 weeks. One patient has not yet been decannulated. No major complications occurred. In patients without tracheostomy, we observed a significant improvement of ODI/h and PIF after surgery (p < 0.05) as expected. PVHI, MCH-Feeding scale, and GIRBAS score significantly worsened 1 month after surgical intervention (p < 0.05). One year after surgery, however, all values, except for B and A parameters of the GIRBAS score, returned to levels comparable to those preoperative.

CONCLUSIONS

EALA represents a simple, safe and effective solution in pediatric patients with BVCI, avoiding tracheostomy, allowing early decannulation, preserving swallowing function, and maintaining good quality voice.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2325-2332, 2023.

Optimal Deep Learning-Based Vocal Fold Disorder Detection and Classification Model on High-Speed Video Endoscopy

The use of high-speed video-endoscopy (HSV) in the study of phonatory processes linked to speech needs the precise identification of vocal fold boundaries at the time of vibration. The HSV is a unique laryngeal imaging technology that captures intracycle vocal fold vibrations at a higher frame rate without the need for auditory inputs. The HSV is also effective in identifying the vibrational characteristics of the vocal folds with an increased temporal resolution during retained phonation and flowing speech. Clinically significant vocal fold vibratory characteristics in running speech can be retrieved by creating automated algorithms for extracting HSV-based vocal fold vibration data. The best deep learning-based diagnosis and categorization of vocal fold abnormalities is due to the usage of HSV (ODL-VFDDC). The suggested ODL-VFDDC technique starts with temporal segmentation and motion correction to identify vocalized regions from the HSV recording and gathers the position of movable vocal folds across frames. The attributes gathered are fed into the deep belief network (DBN) model. Furthermore, the agricultural fertility algorithm (AFA) is used to optimize the hyperparameter tuning of the DBN model, which improves classification results. In terms of vocal fold disorder classification, the testing results demonstrated that the ODL-VFDDC technique beats the other existing methodologies. The farmland fertility algorithm (FFA) is then used to accurately determine the glottal limits of vibrating vocal folds. The suggested method has successfully tracked the speech fold boundaries across frames with minimum processing cost and high resilience to picture noise. This method gives a way to look at how the vocal folds move during a connected speech that is completely done by itself.

Glottal Stop Production in Controls and Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Paresis/Paralysis

PURPOSES

The purposes of this study were to determine whether the acoustic measures from glottal stops distinguished between controls and patients with unilateral vocal fold paresis/paralysis (UVFP) at initial evaluation and posttreatment/observation, to explore the types of false vocal fold (FVF) movement during glottal stop production in UVFP, and to assess the agreement between normalization of various measures and reported voice normalization.

METHOD

Patients with UVFP and controls were recorded acoustically and laryngoscopically speaking two sets of five repeated /i/s, controls once and patients with UVFP initially and posttreatment/observation. Averaged intensity differences and slopes for offsets (maximum voicing intensity to minimum glottal stop intensity) and onsets (minimum glottal stop intensity to maximum voicing intensity) were measured. FVF movements were rated separately for paretic and nonparetic sides. Patients were asked to report voice normalization posttreatment/observation. Cohen's kappas were calculated for agreements between patient-reported voice normalization and normalization of Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), translaryngeal flow, four acoustic measures of glottal stop production, and FVF movement.

RESULTS

Significant differences (analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p < .014) were found for all acoustic measures between controls and patients with UVFP and between patients with UVFP initially and posttreatment/observation (paired t tests; p < .05). In addition, 78% of UVFP patients had no FVF movement on the paretic side initially, and 42% had bilateral dynamic FVF movement posttreatment/observation. Cohen's kappa showed moderate agreement between voice normalization and V-RQOL, slight agreement with offset measures, and fair agreement with onset measures.

CONCLUSION

This study provided proof of concept for using acoustic measures of glottal stops to distinguish between controls and patients with UVFP, both initially and posttreatment/observation.

[Clinical characteristics of 14 cases of neonatal tracheotomy in neonatal intensive care unit]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of neonatal tracheotomy in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 14 neonates admitted to NICU of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to August 2021, and were<28 days of age on admission, who met the criteria of tracheotomy and finally completed the procedure. The clinical characteristics including age, weight, duration of ventilation, etiology of tracheotomy, length of hospital stay and prognosis were summarized and analyzed. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the weight gain velocity and the duration of ventilation before and after tracheotomy. Paired t-test was used to compare the hospitalization length before and after tracheotomy. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the clinical characteristics and outcomes. Results: For the 14 neonates, the gestational age was (38±4) weeks and birth weight was (2 824±949) g. Nine of them were male. The age on transportation was 16 (6, 25) d. A total of 10 neonates were on invasive ventilation on admission, the other 4 were on nasal continuous positive airway pressure support. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (7 cases) was the commonest cause of tracheotomy. The age on operation was 33 (22, 44) d. There were statistically significant differences in duration of ventilation and weight gain velocity before and after operation (19.00 (10.50, 34.00) vs. 0.86 (0.06, 3.25) d, 1.66 (-0.16, 5.54) vs. 4.69 (2.30, 9.32) g/(kg·d), Z=3.01 and -1.98, both P<0.05). The total hospital stay in NICU was (37±12) d. One neonate died during hospitalization. The existence of pneumonia on admission was positively correlated to NICU stay length (r=0.57, P=0.027), the pre-operational weight gain velocity was negatively correlated to the post-operational NICU stay length (r=-0.73, P=0.020). There were 4 neonates de-cannulated during 7-38 months after the tracheotomy, and 5 neonates still wearing the tracheal cannulation during 15-66 months after the tracheotomy. Two neonates died and 2 neonates lost follow-up after discharge. All neonates could not vocalize normally before de-cannulation, and the language development obviously lagged behind the normal age group after de-cannulation. Conclusions: Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is the commonest cause of neonatal tracheotomy. The benefit of tracheotomy for NICU neonates with surgical indications is obvious, especially in facilitating extubation and improving weight gain.

[Application of multimodal combined surgical strategy in children with intractable laryngeal airway obstruction]

Objective:To explore the selection of surgical methods and intraoperative strategies for the treatment of children with intractable laryngeal airway obstruction, and to provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of children with intractable laryngeal airway obstruction. Methods:The clinical data of 12 children with intractable laryngeal airway obstruction treated by our team from January 2005 to December 2021 were retrospective analyzed. All the children were treated with minimally invasive surgery under rigid bronchoscope or suspension laryngoscope combined with electronic endoscope. The surgical methods included laryngeal microsurgery, plasma ablation, balloon dilatation, drug-eluting stents, laser ablation, endoscopic snare, etc. The patients were followed up after operation. Results:All patients completed the operation under general anesthesia, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Except for one patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis who failed to extubation due to restenosis, the others were successfully extubated after operation. Among them, 9 cases of benign space-occupying obstruction were followed up for 5-60 months without recurrence, and 2 cases of malignant tumor-induced obstruction were followed up for 24 months（acinar cell carcinoma） and 36 months（mucoepidermoid carcinoma） without recurrence. Conclusion:Endoscopic multi-operation is effective for children with intractable obstruction. Compared with traditional thoracotomy, endoscopic multi-operation strategies has the advantages of less trauma, faster and safer. For different sizes, locations and pathological types of obstruction, different surgical equipment and methods should be combined.

Comparison between propofol and alfaxalone anesthesia for the evaluation of laryngeal function in healthy dogs utilizing computerized software

Laryngeal paralysis is a well-documented cause of upper respiratory tract obstruction in canines. Diagnosis of laryngeal paralysis is usually made by visual evaluation of laryngeal motion whilst patients are under a light-plane of anesthesia. However, in human studies of laryngeal function evaluation, it has been shown that subjective scoring can lead to significant interobserver variance, which may cause false diagnosis. In this study, we propose to introduce a more objective method of assessing laryngeal function using GlotAnTools and Tracker software to directly measure laryngeal motion in anaesthetized patients. Additionally, two anesthetic agents, alfaxalone and propofol, were compared in this study to assess their relative effect on laryngeal motion and thus their suitability for use in this diagnostic process. This study was a two-stage, cross-over, 1:1 randomization, with two active treatment arms. Ten beagles (10–18 months, five males and five females) were exposed to both anesthetic agents and laryngeal motion was recorded using videoendoscopy. GlotAnTools and Tracker software were applied to the recorded images to measure glottal gap area (A) and length (L). A normalized measure of laryngeal function–computed as A/L–was created, representing the "elongatedness" of the rima glottidis. The glottal gap area was significantly reduced in dogs receiving alfaxalone. This study objectively establishes that alfaxalone impacted laryngeal motion significantly more than propofol and confirms the capability of these computational methods to detect differences in laryngeal motion.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Invasion by Thyroid Cancer: Laryngeal Function and Survival Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) invasion by thyroid carcinoma represents an advanced disease status with potentially significant co-morbidity.

METHODS

In a retrospective single-center study, we included patients with invaded RLNs operated on while using nerve monitoring techniques. We studied pre-, intra-, and postoperative parameters associated with postoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP); 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS); and 5-year overall survival (OS) in addition to two subgroup analyses of postoperative VCP in patients without preoperative VCP and based on source of RLN invasion.

RESULTS

Of 65 patients with 66 nerves-at-risk, 39.3% reported preoperative voice complaints. Preoperative VCP was documented in 43.5%. The RLN was invaded by primary tumor in 59.3% and nodal metastasis in 30.5%. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most common pathologic subtype (80%). After 6 months, 81.8% had VCP. Complete tumor resection of the RLN was not associated with 5-year RFS (p = 0.24) or 5-year OS (p = 0.9). Resecting the RLN did not offer statistically significant benefit on 5-year RFS (p = 0.5) or 5-year OS (p = 0.38). Radioactive Iodine (RAI) administration was associated with improvement in 5-year RFS (p = 0.006) and 5-year OS (p = 0.004). Patients without preoperative VCP had higher IONM amplitude compared with patients with VCP. After a mean follow-up of 65.8 months, 35.9% of patients had distant metastases, whereas 36.4% had recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative VCP accompanies less than half of patients with RLN invasion. Invaded RLNs may have existent electrophysiologic stimulability. Complete tumor resection and RLN resection were not associated with better 5-year RFS or OS, but postoperative RAI was.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2022.

Intraoperative EMG recovery patterns and outcomes after RLN traction-related amplitude decrease during monitored thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVES

Traction injury is the most common type of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in thyroid surgery. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) facilitates early detection of adverse electromyography (EMG) effect, and this corrective maneuver can reduce severe and repeated nerve injury. This study aimed to evaluate intraoperative patterns and outcomes of EMG decrease and recovery by traction injury.

METHODS

644 patients received nerve monitored thyroidectomy with 1142 RLNs at risk were enrolled. Intermittent IONM with stimulating dissecting instrument (real-time during surgical procedure) and trans-thyroid cartilage EMG recording method (without electrode malpositioning issue) were used for nerve stimulation and signal recording. When an EMG amplitude showed a decrease of >50% during RLN dissection, the surgical maneuver was paused immediately. Nerve dissection was restarted when the EMG amplitude was stable.

RESULTS

44/1142 (3.9%) RLNs exhibited a >50% EMG amplitude decrease during RLN dissection and all (100%) showed gradual progressive amplitude recovery within a few minutes after releasing thyroid traction (10 recovered from LOS; 34 recovered from a 51-90% amplitude decrease). Three EMG recovery patterns were noted, A-complete EMG recovery (n=14, 32%); B-incomplete EMG recovery with an injury point (n=16, 36%); C-incomplete EMG recovery without an injury point (n=14, 32%). Patients with postoperative weak or fixed vocal cord mobility in A, B, and C were 0(0%), 7(44%), and 2(14%), respectively. Complete EMG recovery was found in 14 nerves, and incomplete recovery was found in another 30 nerves. Temporary vocal cord palsy was found in 6 nerves due to unavoidable repeated traction.

CONCLUSION

Early detection of traction-related RLN amplitude decrease allows monitoring of intraoperative EMG signal recovery during thyroid surgery. Different recovery patterns show different vocal cord function outcomes. To elucidate the recovery patterns can assist surgeons in the intraoperative decision making and postoperative management.

The utility of handheld ultrasound as a point-of-care screening tool to assess vocal fold impairment following congenital heart surgery

INTRODUCTION

Vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) is a known potential complication of congenital heart surgery (CHS). Flexible nasolaryngoscopy (FNL) is the gold standard for evaluation of vocal fold movement but has risks, including epistaxis, desaturation, and changes in heart rate. Laryngeal ultrasound (LUS) has begun to emerge as a diagnostic tool and has been shown to have high accuracy in the evaluation of VFMI. We sought to assess the utility of hand-held LUS as a point-of-care screening tool to assess VFMI in pediatric patients following congenital heart surgery.

METHODS

Using a prospective cohort design, children under 18 years who were undergoing congenital heart surgery at a tertiary care pediatric hospital were enrolled. All patients underwent postoperative LUS and FNL. All studies were reviewed by two otolaryngology reviewers blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Higher quality studies were reviewed by two cardiology reviewers also blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Accuracy and inter-rater reliability were calculated.

RESULTS

Sixty-two children were screened. Fourteen children with VFMI were identified via FNL. When comparing LUS and FNL, both individual accuracy (90.3% and 75.8%) and interrater agreement (79% overall, 96% for high quality videos) were high for the otolaryngology reviewers. The cardiology reviewers were able to obtain 100% accuracy for high quality videos.

CONCLUSION

Handheld LUS has utility as a point-of-care screening tool to assess VFMI. This may have benefit in low-resource settings, for universal screening in cardiac intensive care units, or in settings where otolaryngology consultation may be difficult to obtain.

Thyroid surgery in children: our experience

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid surgery in children is a rare operation. The aim of our paper is to point out the specifics of thyroid surgery in children.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Institute of Childrens Diseases in Bratislava during a 10-year period (20072016) who underwent thyroid surgeries.

RESULTS

The retrospective analysis included 81 patients: 66 (81%) girls and 15 (19%) boys. The mean age of the patients was 14 years ±8 months (range 418 years). The most common indications for thyroid surgery were: a nodule in 36 (44.4%) patients, Graves Basedow thyrotoxicosis in 19 (23.5%) patients, and suspected thyroid carcinoma in 11 (13.6%) patients. Cervical lymph node metastases (mts) were diagnosed in 9 (11.1%) patients, and distant pulmonary metastases in 5 (6.17%) patients. Total thyroidectomy (TTE) was performed in 43 (53%) patients, total lobectomy (TL) in 20 (24.7%) patients. Extended surgery on regional lymph nodes was performed in 9 (11.1%) patients. Eight (9.9%) patients underwent reoperation. A total of 12 (14.8%) patients experienced postoperative complications. Unilateral transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis occurred in 2 patients, and permanent in one patient. Transient postoperative hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia was reported in 8 (9.9%) patients; no permanent condition of this type was observed.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that optimal surgical results are achieved in the patients. Experience of the surgeon performing thyroid surgery in children remains crucial.

Medialization Laryngoplasty: A Review for Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose The purpose of this study is to familiarize speech-language-pathologists with the current state of the science regarding medialization laryngoplasty in the treatment of voice disorders, with emphasis on current evidence-based practice, voice outcomes, and future directions for research. Method A literature review was performed in PubMed and Embase using the keywords vocal fold/cord and laryngoplasty, thyroplasty, augmentation, or laryngeal framework. Articles published between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed for data about clinical applications, technical approach, voice-related outcomes, and basic science or clinical innovations with the potential to improve patient care. A synthesis of data was performed from articles meeting the outlined search criteria. Conclusions As key members in the multidisciplinary care of voice disorders, speech-language pathologists need to be informed of current research in medialization laryngoplasty, a procedure commonly used for patients with glottic insufficiency. Advances in anesthetic technique, office-based procedures, and the development of materials with increased bio-tolerability over the past decade have led to innovations in treatment and improved patient outcomes. Recent applications of computational and bioengineering approaches have the potential to provide new directions in the refinement of currently available techniques and the improvement of patient-based treatment outcomes.

Otolaryngeal and Oropharyngeal Conditions: Dysphonia

Dysphonia is any alteration of voice quality or vocal effort that impairs communication and affects quality of life. In patients with dysphonia, voice qualities often are described as tremulous, hoarse, strained, or raspy, with altered pitch, breathiness, or vocal fatigue. Dysphonia is a sign of an underlying disease process. Up to one-third of individuals will experience dysphonia in their lifetime. The evaluation includes a history, physical examination, and, in some cases, laryngoscopy. The most common cause of dysphonia is acute laryngitis, with the majority of cases lasting fewer than 3 weeks. Longer duration of symptoms occurs with chronic laryngitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, muscle tension dysphonia, benign vocal fold lesions, vocal fold paresis or paralysis, and spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngeal malignancy is uncommon; the major risk factors are smoking and concurrent alcohol use. Laryngoscopy should be performed in all patients with dysphonia that does not resolve or improve within 4 weeks or of any duration if a serious underlying etiology is suspected. Management is directed at the underlying etiology. Empiric treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antireflux drugs should be avoided in the absence of a clear indication. In patients with a definitive diagnosis, management includes vocal hygiene, voice therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgery.

Correlation Between Presbylarynx and Laryngeal EMG

BACKGROUND

The normal aging process affects many human functions profoundly. The voice is no exception, and some aging effects on the voice are obvious including vocal fold atrophy, bowing, stiffness, more prominent vocal fold processes, and glottic insufficiency. The study's primary aim was to determine the correlation between presbylarynx and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) results and to compare these electromyography (EMG) results with young and old voice patients without evidence of presbylarynx changes on strobovideolaryngoscopy.

METHODS

Medical records for voice patients seen in the senior author's (RTS) practice between 2015 and 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with presbylarynx confirmed by strobovideolaryngoscopy were identified and compared to two control groups. The first control group included patients with ages and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores similar to the experimental group but no presbylarynx. The second control group included younger patients (ages ranging between 18 and 35 years with mean age of 24.57 years) with vocal fold paresis. All groups had undergone LEMG because of suspected paresis clinically. Social and medical factors reviewed and compared between groups included smoking history, alcohol consumption, occupation (voice demanding versus not voice demanding occupation), Voice Handicap Index score at the initial office visit, medical comorbidities, medications, and LEMG results.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the recruitment results for three pairs of muscles (cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid and posterior cricoarytenoid) between the presbylarynx group and both control groups. Rate of asthma was higher in presbylarynx group compared with the first control group. Rates of corticosteroid inhaler use, thyroid medications, smoking, and Voice Handicap Index score were higher in presbylarynx group compared with the second control group. There was no significant difference in occupation type and alcohol consumption between groups.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference found in the neuromuscular function based on laryngeal EMG between presbylarynx patients and both old and young patients with vocal fold paresis but without presbylarynx. Corticosteroid inhaler is associated with atrophic changes seen in presbylarynx. There still could be differences in the neuromuscular function which weren't detected. More research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Reversible Cardiovocal (Ortner's) Syndrome in Dilated Cardiomyopathy - A Rare Presentation of a Common Disease

Ortners syndrome is a rare cause of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy due to cardiac causes. After the description of this syndrome by Ortner in patients with mitral stenosis, it was described by many authors in multiple other cardiac conditions. Here we present a case of Ortner's syndrome in Dilated cardiomyopathy,which reverted completely after medical management of DCMP.

[Application of ultrasonography in etiologic judgment of hoarseness after thyroidecomy]

Objective:To explore the application value of ultrasound in etiologic judgement of hoarseness after thyroidecomy. Method:Sixty-three cases of hoarseness after thyroidecomy were examed by laryngeal ultrasonography. Vocal cord, arytenoid cartilage, pyriform fossa, thyroid operation area and recurrent laryngeal nerve pathway were evaluated. Regard electronic laryngoscope results as gold standard and compare the differences between the two methods. Result:Sixty-three patients were detected by ultrasound, then, 29 cases were diagnosed with left vocal cord paralysis, 24 cases with right vocal cord paralysis, 2 cases with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, 1 case with right vocal cord polyp, 3 cases with left vocal cord polyp, 1 case with renke layer edema, and 3 cases has normal laryngeal imaging. The accuracy of ultrasonography in determining the etiology of hoarseness after thyroidecomy is 92.1%, the sensitivity is 93.3%, and the specificity is 66.7%. Conclusion:The ultrasonography can not only show laryngeal structures, but also display thyroid operation area and recurrent laryngeal nerve pathway. Moreover, as an non-invasive method, ultrasonography has high accuracy in etiologic judgement of hoarseness after thyroidecomy and certain clinical application values.

Pulmonary Vocal Syndrome

Vocal cord paralysis is a common entity with diverse causes clinically manifesting as dysphonia. Vocal cord paralysis due to respiratory cause is due to involvement of left recurrent laryngeal nerve usually secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma. However, it can also be seen in association with other less well recognised causes such as pulmonary tuberculosis. We present to you a patient with hoarseness of voice due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis secondary to endobronchial tuberculosis.

[SURGICAL TREATMENT OF LOCALLY ADVANCED WELL DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CARCINOMA]

AIMS

We aimed to better define the most appropriate therapeutic protocol for this type of tumor.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is rising and the mortality from the disease remains low for patients with early disease. Nevertheless, the survival of patients with advanced disease has not improved during the last four decades and a controversy still exists in the literature regarding the optimal treatment in patients with locally advanced (T4) differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of the literature and our institutional experience, in treating patients with advanced papillary/follicular thyroid carcinoma. The main outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 38 patients with locally advanced thyroid carcinoma (T4). Regional spread to nodal metastases was present in 25 (65.7%) patients. Tracheal invasion was diagnosed in 29 (76.3%), of those 10 (26.3%) patients had airway obstruction. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis was revealed with clinical evidence during diagnosis in 23 (60.5%) patients. The 5-years OS was 66% and DSS was 87%. Multivariate analysis of outcome showed that undifferentiated carcinoma foci and vocal cord paralysis were associated with significantly reduced 5-years OS, and vocal cord paralysis was the only independent prognostic variable for DSS. Male gender and adjuvant radioactive iodine treatment were significant prognostic variables for disease free survival but not OS or DSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancers. Foci of poorly differentiated cells, vocal cord paralysis and male gender are associated with poor prognosis. Radioactive iodine treatment improved local control but did not not affect OS. These patients should be managed by a multidisciplinary team in university centers specializing in treating complicated cancer patients.

Zuckerkandl's tubercle and its relationship to the recurrent laryngeal nerve: A cadaveric dissection and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Zuckerkandl's tubercle (ZT), when present, is an anatomical landmark by which surrounding structures such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can be identified intraoperatively. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of Zuckerkandl's tubercle by combining cadaveric dissection with a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Through October 2016, an extensive search of PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, BIOSIS, SciELO, and Web of Science was completed. Extracted data, along with the findings from our cadaveric dissections, were pooled into a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and size of ZT and its relationship to the RLN.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence estimate of a ZT was 70.2% in the general population, 65.0% of which were considered Grade 0 tubercles (<1.0cm) and 35.0% Grade 1 (≥1.0cm). The RLN ran posteromedially to the ZT in 82.7% of cases, laterally to it in 8.7%, and on top of it in 8.6% of hemilarynges.

CONCLUSION

RLN palsy is a common postoperative complication and cause for litigation following neck surgery. The ZT is a common component of the thyroid gland and with proper knowledge, surgeons can use it to reliably and quickly identify the RLN during operative procedures.

[Coblation treatment for laryngopharynx hemangioma]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect and feasibility of coblation treatment for laryngopharynx hemangioma.

METHOD

Retrospectively analyzed 24 cases with coblation treatment for laryngopharynx hemangioma in recent years.

RESULT

Twenty-four patients were treated with coblation, follow-ups range 6 months to 24 months after surgry. Recurrence occurred in 2 months after surgry in one patient who was cured with coblation for second time. There was incomplete vocal cord paralysis in another patient because of wide range angeioma.

CONCLUSION

Coblation treatment for laryngopharynx hemangioma was an ideal way to less bleeding, less damage and more clearfield of vision.

[Preliminary report on meticulous operation of thyroid lobectomy]

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid lobectomy can be programmed to operate as "step by step". Each step must be performed meticulously with quality control, so as to minimize the complications of surgery.

METHODS

From May 2013 to Auguest 2014, the meticulous thyroid operation was conducted in 72 cases (144 lobectomies). Pre- and post-operative evaluations by strobe laryngoscopy, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and blood calcium examinations were conducted in all cases.

RESULTS

Four cases (5.6%) had transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after surgery, but no permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. There was no transient or permanent superior laryngeal nerve paralysis. Transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in 10 cases, with no permanent hypoparathyroidism. No case presented with postoperative bleeding or infection.

CONCLUSIONS

"Meticulous operation of thyroid lobectomy" may minimize effectively the complication of surgery.

[Clinical application of carbon nanoparticles labeled lymph node in cervical lymph node dissection with papillary thyroid cancer staged preoperatively as N0]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical application of carbon nanoparticles staining in cervical lymph node dissection on clinical neck lymph nodes the negative (cN0 period) thyroid papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHOD

This retrospective analysis comprised 100 papillary thyroid cancer patients who met inclusion criteria,and they were randomly divided into the nano-carbon group (50 cases) and control group (50 cases). They underwent lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomies and were given elective central compartment neck dissection (CCND). The number of detected lymph nodes in each group was summed, and pathological examination was conducted. The number of lymph nodes (dyedor not dyed) and the location of metastatic nodes were recorded separately.

RESULT

In the nano-carbon group the average number of eliminated lymph nodes is significantly more than that of the control group(P<0.05). The metastasis lymph nodes in the nano-carbon group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.01). Among 100 cases, 2% had temporary vocal cord palsy, and 8% had temporary hypoparat hyroidism. No case of permanent vocal cord palsy or permanent hypocalcemia was observed.

CONCLUSION

The dyed lymph nodes can be easily identified and can be used as a guide for lymphnodes dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma operation.

[Anatomy of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To study the anatomic characteristics of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.

METHOD

A retrospective review of surgical data of 307 patients undertook thyroid surgery was conducted.

RESULT

Total 342 recurrent laryngeal nerves were identified during the surgery(184 on the right side, left 158). 215 (62.9%) nerves were deep to the inferior thyroid artery, 106(31.0%)were superficial to the artery, 21(7.5%) were between the arterial branches. A nerve bifurcation was found in 203(59.4%). None of nerve bifurcation was found in 136(39.8%). 3(0.9%)were confirmed to hold non-recurrent laryngeal nerves during operations. No patient showed permanent laryngeal recurrent nerve paralysis postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The careful dissection and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was an effective method to prevent its injury during thyroid surgery.