There is no significant difference between the 2 techniques in terms of adequacy for surgery and subjective postoperative dysesthesias. The ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block is associated with greater patient comfort and willingness to undergo the same anesthetic when compared with the transarterial axillary block.
Introduction
We describe a novel, clinically applicable conduction study of the laryngeal nerves.
Methods
17 normal volunteer subjects were included. Activation of the sensory territory of the superior laryngeal nerve was performed by administration of low level, brief electrical stimulus. The laryngeal closure reflex (LCR) evoked by this stimulus was recorded by needle electrodes. Mean minimal latencies were calculated for each response, and proposed values for the upper limit of normal were determined.
Results
Uniform consistent early ipsilateral responses and late bilateral responses, which exhibit greater variation in latency and morphology, were recorded. Significant side-to-side difference in latencies is observed, consistent with the length discrepancy between right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Discussion
This technique yields clear, quantifiable data regarding neurologic integrity of laryngeal function, heretofore unobtainable in the clinical setting. This study may yield clinically relevant information regarding severity and prognosis in patients with laryngeal neuropathic injury.
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