1993 Volume 1993 Issue Supplement62 Pages 1-8
Six hundred sixty four patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) who visited Kurume University Hospital between 1981 and 1990 were studied and the results were compared with those from 564 patients with RLNP who visited the same hospital between 1971 and 1980. In the 80's, the number of male patients increased significantly, because the number of patients with RLNP due to lung cancer or radical surgery for esophageal or lung cancer increased. Cases of RLNP from unknown causes decreased in the 80's, probably because CT, MR' and ultrasonic examination were effective in diagnosing the cause of RLNP. Two thirds of the RLNP cases after intubation and a third of those from unknown causes recovered perfectly. In 80% of those cases, recovery was recognized until three months after onset. In the 80's, surgical treatment doubled and transcutaneous intrafold injection was performed for most patients. This surgery resulted in sufficient improvement of phonation in almost all cases.
