Vocal cord paralysis: a complication of thyroid surgery

Abstract

This is a retrospective descriptive study on vocal cord paralysis following thyroidectomy at the Ear, Nose and Throat - Head and Neck (E.N.T. - H&N)surgical unit of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).Atotal of 454 patients were included in this study. Out of this 28 (6.2%) had developed vocal cord paralysis. In this study therefore the crude incidence of vocal cord paralysis was found to be 6.2%. The left vocal cord was found paralyzed in more than 50% of the cases. It was also found that patients with repeat thyroidectomies, cancer, of the thyroid gland, and total thyroidectomies had a higher risk of developing vocal cord paralysis. Patients who had vocal cord paralysis with upper airway obstruction were done arytenoidectomy and lateralisation of vocal cords to improve the airway. One patient had a tracheostomy and a metallic tracheostomy tube with speaking valve fitted with satisfactory phonation, while eight patients are still being followed up in Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital for possible lateralisation of vocal cords.