Complete and incomplete recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroid and parathyroid surgery: Characterizing paralysis and paresis.

Background: Injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and consequent disorder of vocal fold movement is a typical complication in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. During postoperative laryngoscopy we observed not only a complete standstill (vocal fold paralysis), but also a hypomobility (paresis). In this prospective study, we investigated the difference in incidence and prognosis as well as risk-factors, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and symptoms between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold paresis.

Pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal autograft reconstruction and tracheoesophageal voice restoration: Indications for replacements, microbial colonization, and indwelling times of the Provox 2 voice prostheses.

Background: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate shunt-related and device-related complications and microbial colonization of voice prostheses in patients after pharyngolaryngectomy with jejunal autograft reconstruction in comparison to patients after standard laryngectomy.

Methods: Nine patients after pharyngolaryngectomy with jejunal autograft reconstruction (group 1) and 14 patients after standard laryngectomy (group 2) equipped with the Provox(®) 2 voice prostheses were followed up over 2 years. Anamnestic data, documentation of shunt-related or device-related complications, the Provox(®) 2 indwelling time, and standard microbiological procedures of voice prostheses were used for analyses.

Comparison of biofilm formation on new Phonax and Provox 2 voice prostheses - a pilot study.

Background: In voice rehabilitation for laryngectomized patients, voice prosthetic biofilm formation is still an unsolved problem. Design and materials of voice prostheses have been altered by manufacturers to improve function and extend the lifetime of devices. The goal of the study was to investigate biofilm formation on Provox 2 and Phonax, recently introduced voice prostheses made of thermoplastic polyurethane.