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Management of Nerve Sacrifice with Thyroidectomy

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Decision Making in Vocal Fold Paralysis

Abstract

Permanent postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery is a feared complication that occurs in up to 3% of primary surgeries and can be as high as 2–30% in revision surgery. Multiple steps can be taken to optimize patient outcomes both in the cases of intentional and unintentional recurrent laryngeal nerve sacrifice. Preoperative workup for planning of possible reconstruction, intraoperative decision-making on immediate reconstructive options, and postoperative rehabilitation are all integral aspects of complete care for these patients. In particular, reanastomosis, reinnervation, and early temporizing vocal fold injection augmentation are discussed as options for patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy.

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Correspondence to Michael J. Pitman .

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Ramaswamy, A.T., Pitman, M.J. (2019). Management of Nerve Sacrifice with Thyroidectomy. In: Amin, M., Johns, M. (eds) Decision Making in Vocal Fold Paralysis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23475-1_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23475-1_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-23474-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-23475-1

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