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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 3/2006

01-03-2006

The Efficacy of Intraoperative Corticosteroids in Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy after Thyroid Surgery

Authors: Ling-Feng Wang, MD, Ka-Wo Lee, MD, Wen-Rei Kuo, MD, Che-Wei Wu, MD, Shang-Pin Lu, MD, Feng-Yu Chiang, MD

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 3/2006

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Abstract

Background

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) is one of the most common complications after thyroidectomy. We aim to evaluate the role of intraoperative corticosteroids in preventing or treating postoperative RLNP.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 295 patients who underwent either total lobectomy or total thyroidectomy with or without using intraoperative corticosteroids. All cases were operated on by the same surgeon. Measurement of the RLNP rate was based on the number of nerves at risk. Data were analyzed for differences in postoperative temporary or permanent RLNP rate and recovery days.

Result

The rate of temporary/permanent RLNP was 5.7% (11 out of 194)/0.52% (1 out of 194) and 6.9% (12 out of 173)/0.58% (1 out of 173) according to groups with and without corticosteroids. This difference did not reach statistical significance. Among those 23 patients who recovered from RLNP, the mean time to recovery was significantly shorter for patients receiving intraoperative steroids (28.6 vs. 40.5 days, P = 0.045).

Conclusion

A single dose of intraoperative corticosteroids did not produce any benefit in terms of reducing the postoperative temporary/permanent RLNP rate, but it did shorten the recovery time for patients suffering from temporary RLNP.
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Metadata
Title
The Efficacy of Intraoperative Corticosteroids in Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy after Thyroid Surgery
Authors
Ling-Feng Wang, MD
Ka-Wo Lee, MD
Wen-Rei Kuo, MD
Che-Wei Wu, MD
Shang-Pin Lu, MD
Feng-Yu Chiang, MD
Publication date
01-03-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 3/2006
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-005-0399-9

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