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Endoscopic laryngeal findings in patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2021

E S Burckardt ,
B J Baird ,
J H Van Stan  and
J A Burns
E S Burckardt
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
B J Baird
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
J H Van Stan
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Department of Communication Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professionals, Boston, USA
J A Burns*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
*
Author for correspondence: Dr James A Burns, Harvard Medical School, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, 11th floor, 1 Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA 02114, USA E-mail: burns.james@mgh.harvard.edu
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to report the pre- and post-operative laryngeal endoscopic findings in patients referred by non-otolaryngologists who are undergoing thyroid and/or parathyroid surgery, and to determine the number and nature of referrals before and after the release of the clinical practice guideline for improving voice outcomes after thyroid surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital, comprised adult patients referred by the endocrine surgery service for laryngoscopy from 2007 to 2018 (n = 166). Data regarding patient demographics, reason for referral and endoscopic findings were recorded.

Results

The number of referrals increased significantly after the release of the practice guideline. The most common indication for referral pre- and post-operatively was voice change. The most common finding during laryngoscopy was normal examination findings (pre-operatively) and unilateral vocal fold immobility (post-operatively).

Conclusion

Peri-operative thyroid and/or parathyroid patients have laryngoscopic findings other than vocal fold immobility. Laryngoscopy to detect structural and functional pathology is warranted.

Keywords

ThyroidParathyroid GlandsLaryngoscopyPreoperative PeriodPostoperative PeriodLarynxVocal Fold DysfunctionVoice

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 3 , March 2021 , pp. 264 - 268
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr J A Burns takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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