Incidence of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy in Thoracic Surgery in Neonates
Topic overview
Prospective study of 13 neonates undergoing thoracic surgery found 38.5% developed postoperative vocal cord paralysis, with lower weight and gestational age as significant risk factors. All cases were symptomatic, though feeding and hospital stay were not significantly impacted, emphasizing need for prevention strategies.
Key takeaways
- Vocal cord paralysis occurred in 38.5% of neonates after thoracic surgery at risk for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.
- Lower birth weight and younger gestational age are significant risk factors for postoperative vocal cord paralysis.
- Postoperative vocal cord paralysis was always symptomatic, with stridor requiring intervention in 40% of affected patients.
- Systematic laryngoscopy 15 days post-surgery is feasible for detecting vocal cord paralysis in neonatal thoracic surgery patients.
- Associated congenital malformations did not increase the risk of postoperative vocal cord paralysis in this cohort.
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