Concomitant type I thyroplasty and thoracic operations for lung cancer: preventing respiratory complications associated with vagus or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Objectives: We sought to prevent postoperative swallowing disorder, aspiration, and sputum retention in cases of recurrent laryngeal or vagus nerve section occurring during lung cancer resection.

Methods: In 14 of 25 consecutive patients, type I thyroplasty and thoracic operations were performed during the same period of anesthesia. All patients had a preoperative laryngeal computed tomographic scan providing us with indispensable measurements for vocal fold medialization under general anesthesia (ie, without intraoperative phonatory control). Nine remaining patients had a type I thyroplasty delayed from thoracic operations because of intraoperative doubt about laryngeal innervation injury, and 2 did not need a laryngeal operation. Main postoperative records consisted of swallowing ability, respiratory complications, and quality of voice.

Results: No swallowing disorder, aspiration, or sputum retention occurred in cases of concomitant laryngeal and thoracic operations. Of these 14 patients, a single case (7%) of major complication (vocal fold overmedialization) occurred and required an early and successful revision thyroplasty; one case of cervical hematoma that did not require surgical drainage was considered a minor complication (7%). Twelve (86%) patients who underwent the concomitant association of both operations were fully satisfied with their quality of voice.

Conclusions: Type I thyroplasty and thoracic operation can be advantageously associated in case of injury to laryngeal motor innervation to prevent postoperative swallowing disability and dramatic respiratory complications.