Vocal cord dysfunction after left lung resection for cancer

Anatomical basis of the risk of injury to the right laryngeal recurrent nerve during thoracic surgery

“…Vocal chord paralysis, resulting from RLRN lesions, is one of the most common complications of such procedures [5,18]. In the context of lung resection for cancer, left laryngeal recurrent nerve lesion is a frequent event, with an incidence of vocal chord dysfunction as high as 31% [4]. On the right side, even though no prospective study specifically focused on RLRN lesions after lung resection was published so far, they are a pitfall well known to surgeons [20].…”

“…RLRN lesions have also been reported after cardiovascular and neurosurgical procedures [6,7,13]. Postoperative RLRN paralysis increases the probability of aspiration pneumonia after thoracic surgery, and therefore leads to higher morbidity and mortality [4,5]. For most authors, aggressive management of postoperative RLRN is required [5,12].…”

Does the extent of lymph node dissection influence outcome in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer?

“…An impaired laryngeal mobility can be dramatic after lung resection, and it should be tracked and treated as soon as possible. Its consequences include swallowing disorder and ineffective cough, both concurring to life-threatening events [21]. Our policy included immediate laryngeal examination and delayed oral feeding, and sometimes early thyroplasty as advocated by some authors [22].…”

Anatomy of the Thoracic Recurrent Laryngeal Nerves from a Surgeon’s Perspective

“…In 50.7% (35 of 69) the operative report mentioned transection of either the inferior laryngeal [RLN] or X th [vagus] nerve during surgery. Filaire et al (2001) reported a 31% incidence of RLN palsy in a series of 99 patients undergoing lung and nodal dissection for lung cancer [25]. There is a general consensus that the incidence of RLN paralysis is under reported.…”