Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) following esohagectomy for carcinoma

Background. The aim of this study was to report the frequency of postoperative recurrent Laryngeal. nerve paralysis (RLNP) following resection for esophageal carcinoma. Patients and methods. Four hundred and four patients were studied. Diagnosis of post-operative RLNP was performed by indirect laryngoscopy. Tumour characteristics, surgical approach and perioperative morbidity and mortatity following esophageal. resection were recorded. Results. Sixty patients were diagnosed with post-operative RLNP, of whom 47 had a unilateral and 16 a bilateral lesion. RLNP was more frequently diagnosed after transhiatat resection with cervical esophagogastrostomy as compared to abdomino thoracic resection (p=0.06). A higher rate of post-operative pneumonia was evident in patients with RLNP (33 of 63 as opposed to 90 of 341; p=0.027). Conclusion. RLNP is associated with a significant morbidity, especially pulmonary complications after resection of esophageal. cancer. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.