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World Journal of Surgery

Published in:

01-10-2012

Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Authors: Shih-Ping Cheng, Jie-Jen Lee, Tsang-Pai Liu, Kuo-Sheng Lee, Chien-Liang Liu

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 10/2012

Abstract

Background

Preoperative detection of vocal cord palsy is important in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, routine fiberoptic laryngoscopy may bring patients unnecessary discomfort. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using surgeon-performed ultrasonography (US) as a screening tool for preoperative assessment of vocal cord movement.

Methods

In the first phase, patients had both laryngoscopic and US examination before surgery. In the second phase, patients had US evaluation first. Those with abnormal vocal cord movement on US, with invisible cord movement, or presenting with significant vocal symptoms underwent laryngeal examination.

Results

In all, 93 (82 %) of 114 patients had successful US evaluation of vocal cord movement during the first phase. Two of them had vocal cord paralysis. In the second phase, vocal cord movement could be evaluated by US in 349 (84 %) of 415 patients. Four patients with abnormal movement were confirmed to have vocal cord palsy by laryngoscopy. None of 46 symptomatic patients with normal movement on US had vocal cord palsy. One other patient whose cord movement could not be seen by US had vocal cord palsy on laryngoscopic examination.

Conclusions

Surgeon-performed US appears to be a relatively accurate method for assessing vocal cord movement in the preoperative setting. It can be used to select patients to undergo laryngoscopic examination before thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

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Title: Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Authors: Shih-Ping Cheng
Jie-Jen Lee
Tsang-Pai Liu
Kuo-Sheng Lee
Chien-Liang Liu
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 10/2012
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-012-1674-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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