Study of Incidence, Risk Factors and Natural Outcome of Vocal Cord Paresis in Thyroid Operations

Vocal fold (VFP) paresis caused by recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a well known complication of thyroid surgery and it has been widely documented in the literature. The rates of transient VFP ranged from 1.4 to 38.4 % (mean 9.8 %) and from zero to 18.6 % (mean 2.3 %) for permanent VFP. � The incidence of VFP may be underestimated unless routine vocal fold evaluation is performed. � Postoperative RLN injury is considered permanent if complete vocal fold immobility or dysfunction lasts more than 1 year. � Permanent injuries have been documented in up to 1.4 % and transient injuries in 5.2 to 12.6 % of the patients according to studies which utilized routine post operative vocal fold examination. � The reported risk factors for intra operative RLN injury include patients older age, intra thoracic goiter, thyrotoxicosis, thyroid malignancy, previous thyroidectomy, reoperation for bleeding, extended surgery, low or medium volume hospital, and low volume surgeons