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Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2023Bilateral vocal fold paralysis is a condition accounting for great mortality and significant worsening in patients' quality of life. Treatment applied to these patients... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Bilateral vocal fold paralysis is a condition accounting for great mortality and significant worsening in patients' quality of life. Treatment applied to these patients seek balance among breathing, airway protection and voice quality.
AIM
Critically and systematically reviewing the current literature on the topic in order to set the best technique to restore breathing comfort, without the need of tracheostomy, in patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis. Furthermore, it seeks the surgical type technique accounting for the best breathing rate and for the smallest changes in voice parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method methodology and population, interventions, comparatives, outcomes and study design criteria were used as systematic search in the biggest databases and in the grey literature. The following meshes were used for the search: surgical interventions, surgical treatment, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, tracheostomy, decannulation, voice, and dysphonia. The selected studies should have followed the randomized clinical-trial type or be longitudinal observational controlled prospective studies (cohort studies).
RESULTS
In total, 3,548 articles were found. After duplicate studies were removed from the selection, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and 06 articles were selected for qualitative analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The assessed surgical procedures showed good cost-benefit to treat bilateral vocal fold paralysis, either because they improved the breathing function in most patients and allowed decannulation in patients with tracheostomy, or because they accounted for small changes to both voice parameters or deglutition. However, none of the described techniques has shown respiratory and functional outcomes better than those recorded for the other ones. The decision on what surgery to perform still must be made based on the judgement of an experienced surgeon.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords; Treatment Outcome; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33468368
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.11.018 -
The Laryngoscope Jan 2023Glottic obstruction may arise secondary to bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). Treatment options include a tracheostomy to bypass the site of obstruction as well as... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Glottic obstruction may arise secondary to bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). Treatment options include a tracheostomy to bypass the site of obstruction as well as unilateral transverse cordotomy to alleviate the obstruction. The objective of this review is to determine the efficacy, adverse event profile, and long-term outcomes, including the need for tracheostomy, in patients undergoing unilateral cordotomy.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Systems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for this systematic review. A literature search of unilateral cordotomy was performed by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Articles presenting cases of BVFI treated with unilateral cordotomy were included. Review articles, animal studies, non-English-language articles, and abstracts were excluded. Articles presenting cases of bilateral cordotomy or cordotomy with arytenoidectomy were excluded.
RESULTS
We identified 14 studies and 291 patients undergoing unilateral cordotomy. Sixty-eight patients had a prior tracheostomy in place at the time of cordotomy. The most common post-operative complication was granulation tissue formation (n = 39). Thirty-one patients developed glottic edema with subsequent dyspnea. Three patients developed scarring of the primary cordotomy site with the return to an obstructed airway. Nine patients required a post-cordotomy tracheostomy due to these complications. Five patients required a long-term tracheostomy and were unable to be decannulated.
CONCLUSION
Unilateral cordotomy is an effective treatment for glottic obstruction with high post-operative decannulation rates. Adverse events including worsening glottic obstruction are uncommon, although edema and granulation tissue may develop in the post-operative period and necessitate close post-operative monitoring. Laryngoscope, 133:6-14, 2023.
Topics: Humans; Cordotomy; Glottis; Laryngoplasty; Retrospective Studies; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 35253905
DOI: 10.1002/lary.30097 -
Updates in Surgery Oct 2023This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the surgical outcomes of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the surgical outcomes of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) and transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT). We carried out a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar on studies comparing TOETVA and TORT until January 2023. A total of five articles published between 2018 and 2023 that matched the inclusion criteria were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The studies included 641 patients (394 TOETVA patients and 247 TORT patients). TOETVA group was associated with a significantly shorter operative time with a mean difference of 60.08 min [95% confidence interval (CI) - 83.95 to - 36.20; P < 0.001). Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was more common in the TOETVA group than the TORT group (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.14-7.88; P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the other outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, postoperative pain scores, number of central lymph nodes retrieved, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, and transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The TOETVA group was associated with shorter operative time and more transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy than the TORT group. Each procedure has its benefits and limitations. The surgical approach should be determined by considering the patient's characteristics and preferences, as well as the surgeon's preference and area of expertise.
Topics: Humans; Thyroidectomy; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery; Hypoparathyroidism; Thyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 37556081
DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01623-3 -
Head & Neck Dec 2021In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C-IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C-IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional integrity of the vagus nerve-recurrent laryngeal nerve (VN-RLN) axis in real-time. We aim to present the current evidence on C-IONM utility for thyroid surgery by conducting the first meta-analysis on this technique. A systematic review of literature was conducted by two independent reviewers via Ovid in the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane reviews databases. The search was limited to human subject research in peer-reviewed articles of all languages published between Jan 1946 and April 2020. Medical subject headings (MeSH) terms utilized were thyroid surgery, thyroidectomies, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vagal nerve, monitor, and stimulation. Thirty-eight papers were identified from Ovid, another six papers were identified by hand-search. A random effect meta-analysis was performed with assessment of heterogeneity using the I value. A total of 23 papers that investigated the use of continuous vagal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery were identified. The proportion of nerves at risk (NAR) with temporary RLN paralysis postoperation was 2.26% (95% CI: 1.6-2.9, I = 37). The proportion of NAR with permanent RLN palsy postoperation was 0.05% (95% CI: 0.08-0.2, I = 0). In this meta-analysis, there is one case of temporary vagal nerve paralysis secondary to VN electrode dislodgement, and a case of hemodynamic instability manifested in bradycardia and hypotension in the initial phase of surgery shortly after calibration. C-IONM is a safe and effective means by which RLN paralyses in thyroid surgery can be reduced.
Topics: Humans; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; Thyroidectomy; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 34342380
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26828 -
Clinical Otolaryngology : Official... Sep 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis examines if intralaryngeal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) can improve voice outcomes in those with vocal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines if intralaryngeal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) can improve voice outcomes in those with vocal disability.
DESIGN
A Systematic review of original human studies reporting voice outcomes following intra-laryngeal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 in those with vocal dysfunction. Databases searched were Medline (1946-July 2022), Embase (1947-July 2022), Cochrane database and Google Scholar.
SETTING
Secondary or tertiary care centres that undertook the management of voice pathology Hospital.
PARTICIPANTS
Inclusion criteria were original human studies reporting voice outcome measurements following intralaryngeal injection of FGF2 to treat vocal fold atrophy, vocal fold scarring, vocal fold sulcus or vocal fold palsy. Articles not written in English, studies that did not include human subjects and studies where voice outcome measures were not recorded before and after FGF2 injection were excluded from the review.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome measure was maximum phonation time. Secondary outcome measures included acoustic analysis, glottic closure, mucosal wave formation, voice handicap index and GRBAS scale.
RESULTS
Fourteen articles were included out of a search of 1023 and one article was included from scanning reference lists. All studies had a single arm design without control groups. Conditions treated were vocal fold atrophy (n = 186), vocal cord paralysis (n = 74), vocal fold fibrosis (n = 74) and vocal fold sulcus (n = 56). A meta-analysis of six articles reporting on the use of FGF2 in patients with vocal fold atrophy showed a significant increase of mean maximum phonation time of 5.2 s (95% CI: 3.4-7.0) at 3-6 months following injection. A significant improvement in maximum phonation time, voice handicap index and glottic closure was found following injection in most studies assessed. No major adverse events were reported following injection.
CONCLUSIONS
To date, intralaryngeal injection of basic FGF2 appears to be safe and it may be able to improve voice outcomes in those with vocal dysfunction, especially vocal fold atrophy. Randomised controlled trials are needed to further evaluate efficacy and support the wider use of this therapy.
Topics: Humans; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Laryngeal Diseases; Atrophy
PubMed: 37246756
DOI: 10.1111/coa.14073 -
Journal of Craniovertebral Junction &... 2022Spondyloptosis is a rare presentation of cervical spine traumatism where listhesis is more than 100%. Traumatic cervical spine spondyloptosis (TCS) is one of the least... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spondyloptosis is a rare presentation of cervical spine traumatism where listhesis is more than 100%. Traumatic cervical spine spondyloptosis (TCS) is one of the least discussed forms of cervical spine traumatisms because of its rarity and the gravity of patient's condition, limiting good management, and the number of reported cases.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to discuss clinical, radiological, and best management tools of the aforementioned pathology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched for English articles about traumatic cervical spondyloptosis. Titles, abstracts, or author-specified keywords that contain the words "spondyloptosis" AND "cervical" AND "spine" were identified. There were no time limits. In sum, 542 records were identified, 63 records were screened, and 46 records were included in this review, describing 64 clinical cases of traumatic cervical spondyloptosis. The clinical cases of two patients managed at our department are also presented and included. In the end, 66 cases were included in this study. Demographics, clinics, radiology, management tools, and outcome of the reviewed cases were discussed. This study was conducted in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement 2009. The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) score was used to evaluate the clinical presentations.
RESULTS
This review included 66 patients consisting of 46 males (70%) and 20 females (30%), with a mean age of 41 years. The accident was indicated in 62 cases; it was a road traffic accident in 29 cases (46%), a fall in 24 cases (38%), and motor vehicle accident in 15 cases (24%). The lesion was iatrogenic in four patients. Twenty-one patients were received without motor or sensitive deficit and so scored Grade E on AIS, 10 with Grade D, 11 Grade C, four Grade B, and 20 with Grade A. On imaging, spondyloptosis involved the C1-C2 segment in two cases (3%), C2-C3 in three cases (5.5%), C3-C4 in one case (1.5%), C4-C5 in six cases (9%), C5-C6 in nine cases (13%), C6-C7 in 20 cases (30%), and C7-T1 in 26 cases (38%). In all cases, there was either fracture or dislocation in posterior elements. Bilateral pedicles or facet joint fractures were noted in 53% of the 56 patients where the associated lesions were described, but it jumps to 89% when a vertebra is projected in front of another. In two cases, there was no mention of closed reduction via transcranial traction; in 13 cases (20%), it was avoided for a reason (child, patient's refusal,…). In the 51 cases where the traction was clearly applied, 17 cases (33%) were reduced totally; in 13 cases (25%) the reduction was partial; it failed in 19 cases (37%); and in the remaining cases, the result was not clear. Traction weight varied from 4 kg to 27.2 kg, applied from 6 h to 20 days. Where total reduction was achieved, an average weight of 11.9 kg with proximal average time of 6 days was needed, whereas an average of 11.5 kg was needed for partial reduction with proximal average time of 10 days. 62 patients were operated rather in one or two times. Anterior approach was used in 20 patients (32%), a posterior approach in 14 patients (23%), and combined anterior/posterior approaches in 28 patients (45%). In four patients, the outcome was not available; in the remaining 62 cases, an improvement of an initial deficit was noted in 25 patients (40%), conservation of an initial motor force integrity was noted in 19 patients (30%), and nine patients (14.5%) kept the same initial deficit. Few complications were declared: dura tears with cerebrospinal fluid leaks, meningitis, esophageal laceration, and vocal cord paralysis. There was a mortality of 11% (seven cases).
CONCLUSION
Traumatic cervical spine spondyloptosis predominates in the lowest levels of the cervical spine, allowed in all cases by a failure in posterior elements. It is a lesion with the worst clinical presentation. Traumatic cervical spine spondyloptosis is highly instable, imposing urgent reduction followed by surgical stabilization. At the limit of the reviewed cases, outcome is in general good, but mortality is still important.
PubMed: 35386237
DOI: 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_132_21 -
The Laryngoscope Sep 2019To investigate the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in the development of benign lesions of the vocal folds (BLVF).
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in the development of benign lesions of the vocal folds (BLVF).
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched by three independent investigators for articles published between January 1990 and November 2018 providing substantial information about the role of LPR in the development of nodules, polyps, cysts, Reinke's edema, and sulcus vocalis. Inclusion, exclusion, diagnostic criteria and clinical outcome evaluation of included studies were analyzed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria.
RESULTS
Of the 155 relevant publications, 42 studies were included. Thirty-five were clinical studies and seven were experimental research studying the impact of reflux on vocal fold tissue. Only seven clinical studies utilized objective LPR diagnoses (pH monitoring), suggesting an association between LPR and the development of nodules, polyps, and Reinke's edema. These studies were characterized by a substantial heterogeneity due to discrepancies in inclusion/exclusion criteria, diagnostic methods, and clinical outcome evaluation. The few basic science studies on this topic support that LPR creates an environment that may predispose to BLVF through changes in defense mechanisms of the vocal folds, cell-to-cell dehiscence, inflammatory reaction of the vocal folds, and reaction to phonotrauma.
CONCLUSIONS
Caustic mucosal injury from LPR could cause increased susceptibility of the vocal fold mucosa to injury and subsequent formation of nodules, polyps, or Reinke's edema. However, the heterogeneity and the low number of high-quality studies limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Future clinical and experimental studies are needed to better identify the role of reflux in development of BLVF. Laryngoscope, 129:E329-E341, 2019.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngeal Edema; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux; Polyps; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 30892725
DOI: 10.1002/lary.27932 -
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology Nov 2023To evaluate the outcomes of reinnervation techniques for the treatment of adult unilateral vocal fold paralysis and bilateral vocal fold paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcomes of reinnervation techniques for the treatment of adult unilateral vocal fold paralysis and bilateral vocal fold paralysis.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted in the Embase and Medline databases in English, with no limitations on the publication date. The outcome parameters of interest included visual, subjective perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic analysis and electromyography. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model and inverse variance was calculated.
RESULTS
The systematic Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach resulted in 27 studies, totalling 803 patients (747 unilateral cases and 56 bilateral cases). Thyroid cancer and/or surgery had caused unilateral vocal fold paralysis in 74.8 per cent of cases and bilateral vocal fold paralysis in 69.6 per cent of cases. Statistically significant improvements in patients were observed for voice, deglutition and decannulation (bilateral vocal fold paralysis). Meta-analysis of 10 reinnervation techniques was calculated for the maximum phonation time of 184 patients.
CONCLUSION
Reinnervation was shown to improve voice, swallowing and decannulation, but studies lacked control groups, limiting generalisability. Larger studies with controls are needed.
PubMed: 37982255
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215123001950 -
Clinical Otolaryngology : Official... May 2022Locally aggressive thyroid cancer can result in airway obstruction secondary to tracheal compression or vocal cord palsy. A tracheal stent provides an alternative to... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Locally aggressive thyroid cancer can result in airway obstruction secondary to tracheal compression or vocal cord palsy. A tracheal stent provides an alternative to surgical resection, tracheostomy or conservative management in patients with compressive symptoms. This systematic review synthesises the current evidence associated with tracheal stenting in locally advanced thyroid cancer.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
We conducted a systematic review of tracheal stenting in locally advanced thyroid cancers. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science for studies until 22 September 2020. Inclusion criteria were studies involving patients who had received tracheal stents to treat laryngotracheal stenosis secondary to locally advanced thyroid cancer. Single case reports or single cases were not included.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
We assessed studies for data on the performance of tracheal stenting; defined as symptomatic relief, spirometry data, complication rates and mortality. We also extracted data pertaining to the use of different types of stent.
RESULTS
We identified eight full-text articles from 325 titles found in our search. These were all single-centre retrospective studies that lacked homogeneity of thyroid cancer histotypes. The number of patients in each study ranged from 4 to 35 patients. Stenting improved performance status (two of two studies), symptoms (five of five studies) and spirometry (two of three studies). The most common complications were tracheal granulation, tumour overgrowth, stent migration and sputum retention.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of evidence in the literature of tracheal stents in locally advanced thyroid cancer. However, the evidence available suggests tracheal stenting may be a useful treatment adjunct in advanced thyroid cancer-causing symptomatic airway obstruction.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Thyroid Neoplasms; Tracheal Stenosis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35218682
DOI: 10.1111/coa.13923 -
Neuromodulation : Journal of the... Apr 2022To compare the short- and long-term efficacies as well as tolerability of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in comparison... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To compare the short- and long-term efficacies as well as tolerability of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for the patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in comparison with status at baseline.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a specific and systematic search in online data bases for relevant literature published prior to December 2020. The literature retrieved, including randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies, were then reviewed and analyzed. A fixed-effect model was used to evaluate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of responder rates and complications associated with RCTs. A random-effect model was used to generate overall responder rates and overall incidences of complication.
RESULTS
A total of 61 studies, featuring 5223 patients, were included in our study. The pooled ORs of responder rates, hoarseness/voice change, throat pain, coughing, dyspnea, paresthesia, muscle pain, and headache during the short-term phase were 2.195 (p = 0.001), 5.527 (p = 0.0001), 0.935 (p = 0.883), 1.119 (p = 0.655), 2.901 (p = 0.005), 1.775 (p = 0.061), 3.606 (p = 0.123), and 0.928 (p = 0.806), respectively. The overall responder rates in 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postoperatively were 0.421, 0.455, 0.401, 0.451, 0.482, 0.502, and 0.508, respectively. The overall incidences of complication were 0.274 for hoarseness/voice change, 0.099 for throat pain, 0.133 for coughing, 0.099 for dyspnea, 0.102 for paresthesia, 0.062 for muscle pain, 0.101 for headache, 0.015 for dysphagia, 0.013 for neck pain, 0.040 for infection, 0.030 for lead fracture, 0.019 for vocal cord palsy, and 0.020 for device malfunction, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The estimating of efficacy and tolerability, using data from the existing literature, indicated VNS therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with DRE.
Topics: Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Dyspnea; Headache; Hoarseness; Humans; Myalgia; Paresthesia; Treatment Outcome; Vagus Nerve; Vagus Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 35396068
DOI: 10.1111/ner.13509