INCIDENCE OF RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE PALSY FOLLOWING THYROID SURGERY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NEPAL

Abstract

Objectives:

To assess the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy in patients undergoing thyroid surgery

Materials and methods:

Prospective observational study conducted at Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni, Kathmandu, Nepal from August 2012 to august 2013.

Results:

A total of 78 thyroid surgery were performed during this study period. Out of those patients, 8 (10.25%) had RLN palsy and were subsequently followed up for six months postoperatively for possible recovery of nerve palsy. Seven patients (8.97%) recovered over 4 week’s period whereas one male patient (1.28%) had permanent palsy.

Conclusion:

Our study found that injury to RLN during thyroid surgery is not uncommon, which is more common in total and completion thyroidectomy than in hemithryoidectomy. Most of the cases of iatrogenic RLN injury are temporary and  recovers partially or completely with the conservative management.

Keywords: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, Thyroid Surgery