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Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jul 2017The recurrent laryngeal nerve and its branches form a great variety of anastomoses. These nerve communications can alter the innervation patterns of the laryngeal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The recurrent laryngeal nerve and its branches form a great variety of anastomoses. These nerve communications can alter the innervation patterns of the laryngeal muscles and can affect both the diagnosis and treatment of paralyzed vocal cords. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of the laryngeal nerve connections, and to review their function and clinical significance.
STUDY DESIGN
Meta-analysis and systematic review.
METHODS
The major electronic databases were thoroughly searched to identify all studies reporting data on the anastomoses of the laryngeal nerves. Data on the prevalence of each type of anastomosis were extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis using MetaXL version 3.0 (EpiGear International Pty. Ltd., Wilston, Queensland, Australia).
RESULTS
Twenty-two cadaveric studies (n = 1404 hemilarynges) were included in the meta-analysis. The two most common communications were Galen's anastamosis and the arytenoid plexus. The pooled prevalence estimate for Galen's anastamosis was 76.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.0-90.0), of which the single trunk type was most common (92.3%). The arytenoid plexus had a pooled prevalence estimate of 79.7% (95% CI: 41.1-100).
CONCLUSIONS
Owing to the high prevalences and variability of nerve connections in the larynx, detailed anatomical knowledge of these anastomoses can be crucial for the accurate interpretation of laryngoscopy results, reducing iatrogenic injury during surgical procedures, and facilitating the development of novel strategies for treating laryngeal paralyses.
Topics: Anatomic Variation; Humans; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
PubMed: 27939121
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2016.11.004 -
Cureus Dec 2023Since the 1940s, Macintosh laryngoscopy (Mac laryngoscopy) has been the gold standard for tracheal intubation, offering visualization of the glottis entrance. However,... (Review)
Review
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) Revealing the Future of Airway Management: Video Laryngoscopy vs. Macintosh Laryngoscopy for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes.
Since the 1940s, Macintosh laryngoscopy (Mac laryngoscopy) has been the gold standard for tracheal intubation, offering visualization of the glottis entrance. However, recent years have witnessed the emergence of various video laryngoscopy (VL) techniques. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the clinical outcomes of VL Mac laryngoscopy in an elective setting. We comprehensively searched five medical databases - PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. All the databases were last searched in January 2023. We only included studies with full texts comparing VL to Mac laryngoscopy clinical outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were non-full text or non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and did not compare VL to Mac laryngoscopy. We extracted data comprising author names, publication year, key study outcomes (first-attempt intubation success rate, Cormack and Lehane grade, hypoxia incidence, and glottis view quality), video laryngoscope types, and sample sizes of both VL and Mac laryngoscopy groups. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK), presenting results as odds ratio (OR) and risk ratios (RR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). This facilitated the identification of relevant and appropriate studies of our analysis. The search produced 19 studies that were included in this review. The evaluated sample size ranges from 40 to 802, with 3,238 participants. The rate of success at the first attempt in the use of VL was 1,558/1,890 (82.43%), while the success rate for Mac laryngoscopy was 982/1,348 (72.85%; OR: 1.98 (1.25, 3.12)) at a 95% confidence interval. Pooled analysis indicated no significant difference for hypoxia concerning the type of device used RR (random effects: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.80-1.29). A video laryngoscope had a higher likelihood of visualizing the vocal cords categorized as category 1 in the Cormack-Lehane system of classification (RR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.43-4.21). Additionally, considerably better glottis views were attained during VL than Mac laryngoscopy (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19-2.62). In elective tracheal intubation, VL demonstrates superior first-attempt success rates, offers improved glottis visualization, and reduces instances where the glottis cannot be viewed compared to Mac laryngoscopy.
PubMed: 38229823
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50648 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jan 2013Bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis (BVCAbP) is considered a rare cause of stridor in the newborn. The goal of this work is to present a case series and to review... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis (BVCAbP) is considered a rare cause of stridor in the newborn. The goal of this work is to present a case series and to review systematically the literature on bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis in the newborn to better characterize the current knowledge on this entity.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review with Medline (1950-2011). The authors screened all cases of BVCAbP reported and selected those affecting newborns.
RESULTS
Out of the 129 articles screened, 16 were included. A total of 69 cases could be retrieved and analyzed. Associated co-morbidities were found in 54% of the patients, most notably malformative conditions (intracranial or other), or a positive perinatal history (trauma/asphyxia, prematurity). Tracheostomy placement was required in 59% of children, and of these 44% were successfully decannulated. In terms of functional outcome full recovery or improvement were seen in 61% of patients. Major underlying co-morbidities affected negatively the functional outcome (p=.004), but not the need for tracheostomy (p=.604) or the decannulation success rate (p=.063).
CONCLUSION
BVCAbP in the newborn is a serious cause of airway obstruction. It can be seen either in a context of multisystem anomalies or as an isolated finding. Newborns with major co-morbidities affecting their normal development are more likely to have poor functional outcomes and to remain tracheostomy-dependant.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Laryngoscopy; Male; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory System Abnormalities; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Tracheostomy; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 23164501
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2012.10.020 -
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 -
BMC Emergency Medicine Jul 2021Ultrasonography (US) is recently used frequently as a tool for airway assessment prior to intubation (endotracheal tube (ETT) placement), and several indicators have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ultrasonography (US) is recently used frequently as a tool for airway assessment prior to intubation (endotracheal tube (ETT) placement), and several indicators have been proposed in studies with different reported performances in this regard. This systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed the performance of US in difficult airway assessment.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane book. All the studies that had carried out difficult airway assessments using US, had compared the indicators in difficult and easy groups, and had published the results in English by the time we conducted our search in April 28, 2020, were included.
RESULTS
In the initial search, 17,156 articles were retrieved. After deleting the duplicate articles retrieved from multiple databases, 7578 articles remained for screening based on the abstracts and titles. Finally, the full text of 371 articles were assessed and the data from 26 articles were extracted, which had examined a total of 45 US indicators for predicting difficult intubation. The most common US index was the "thickness of anterior neck soft tissue at the vocal cords level". Also, "skin to epiglottis" and "anterior neck soft tissue at the hyoid bone level" were among the most common indicators examined in this area.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review showed that US can be used for predicting difficult airway. Of note, "skin thickness at the epiglottis and hyoid levels", "the hyomental distance", and "the hyomental distance ratio" were correlated with difficult laryngoscopy in the meta-analysis. Many other indicators, including some ratios, have also been proposed for accurately predicting difficult intubation, although there have been no external validation studies on them.
Topics: Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 34217221
DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00472-w -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2016To critically review current literature comparing interventional approaches for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
To critically review current literature comparing interventional approaches for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review of the literature.
METHODS
All English-language literature published in the PubMed database was eligible for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were: 1) the major topic must be a direct comparison of outcomes in interventions for unilateral vocal fold paralysis, 2) the subjects were 18 years or older, and 3) it was original research. Studies involving treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis and nonprocedural interventions were excluded. Included studies were categorized according to level of evidence. Outcomes analyzed were acoustic and aerodynamic measures, auditory perceptive evaluation, laryngoscopic findings, and complications.
RESULTS
Of the 504 studies retrieved from the search strategy, 17 studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, four interventional approaches were used for treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis: medialization thyroplasty, injection laryngoplasty, arytenoid adduction, and laryngeal reinnervation. Aside from some select improvements in single outcome parameters, overall, the majority of studies show no difference in improvement of outcomes between techniques.
CONCLUSIONS
Four surgical interventions for unilateral vocal fold paralysis are available for treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Multiple studies show favorable outcomes, but no significant differences between treatment arms based on perceptual, acoustic, quality of life, and laryngoscopic outcomes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
NA Laryngoscope, 126:1616-1624, 2016.
Topics: Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Laryngoplasty; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 26485674
DOI: 10.1002/lary.25739 -
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 Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2001Vocal cord nodules are bilateral swellings of the mid-portion of the membranous vocal folds. They are of variable size and are characterised histologically by thickening... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vocal cord nodules are bilateral swellings of the mid-portion of the membranous vocal folds. They are of variable size and are characterised histologically by thickening of the epithelium with a variable degree of inflammatory action in the underlying superficial lamina propria. They characteristically produce hoarseness. Treatment of vocal cord nodules aims to eliminate or reduce this hoarseness.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of surgery versus non-surgical interventions for vocal cord nodules.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) and Medline (1966-2000), Embase (1974-2000), Biological Abstracts (1970-2000), Biological Abstracts RRM (Reports, Reviews and Meetings) on CD-ROM (1989-2000) and review articles.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing any surgical intervention for vocal cord nodules with non-surgical treatment or no treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
No suitable trials were identified.
MAIN RESULTS
No studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatment of vocal cord nodules.
Topics: Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 11406019
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001934 -
International Journal of Surgery... Mar 2017Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been a commonly used technology during thyroid surgery aimed at reducing the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been a commonly used technology during thyroid surgery aimed at reducing the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP), which is a severe complication and leads to significant impacts on a patient's life. In order to give a comprehensive assessment for potential benefits and disadvantage of IONM, this meta-analysis and systematic review discusses RLNP rate, predictive power, continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (CIONM), and emphasises application during thyroid cancer surgeries.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library from January 1, 2004 to July 30, 2016. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 studies, including four prospective randomised trials, were selected. Heterogeneity of studies was checked by the Cochran Q test. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots with Egger's linear regression test of asymmetry. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated by random effects model.
RESULTS
Overall, 9203 patients and 17,203 nerves at risk (NAR) were included. Incidence of overall, transient, and persistent RLNP in IONM group were, respectively, 3.15%, 1.82%, and 0.67%, whereas for the ID group, they were 4.37%, 2.58%, and 1.07%. The summary OR of overall, transient, and persistent RLNP compared using IONM and ID were, respectively, 0.81 (95%CI 0.66-0.99), 0.76 (95%CI 0.61-0.94), and 0.78 (95%CI 0.55-1.09).
CONCLUSIONS
The presented data showed benefits of reducing RLNP rate by using IONM, but without statistical significance for persistent RLNP rate. For patients with thyroid cancer who undergo total thyroidectomy, using IONM may improve the outcome by reducing amount of residual thyroid tissue. However, no benefits were found for thyroid reoperation; visual identification and careful dissection remain standard for this challenging procedure. In addition, the relative low positive predictive power indicated intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring (IIONM) may not be reliable; but CIONM was showed to be a more promising method, with prudent approach.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroidectomy; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Young Adult
PubMed: 28130189
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.01.086 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2021Unexpected difficult airway management can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients admitted for elective procedures. Ultrasonography is a promising tool...
Unexpected difficult airway management can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients admitted for elective procedures. Ultrasonography is a promising tool for perioperative airway assessment, nevertheless it is still unclear which sonographic parameters are useful predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. To determine the ultrasonographic predictors of a difficult airway that could be applied for routine practice, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Literature search was performed on PubMED, Web of Science and Embase using the selected keywords. Human primary studies, published in English with the use of ultrasonography to prediction of difficult laryngoscopy or tracheal intubation were included. A total of 19 articles (4,570 patients) were analyzed for the systematic review and 12 articles (1,141 patients) for the meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences between easy and difficult laryngoscopy groups were calculated and the parameter effect size quantified. A PRISMA methodology was used and the critical appraisal tool from Joanna Briggs Institute was applied. Twenty-six sonographic parameters were studied. The overall effect of the distance from skin to hyoid bone ( = 0.02); skin to epiglottis ( = 0.02); skin to the anterior commissure of vocal cords ( = 0.02), pre-epiglottis space to distance between epiglottis and midpoint between vocal cords ( = 0.01), hyomental distance in neutral ( < 0.0001), and extended ( = 0.0002) positions and ratio of hyomental distance in neutral to extended ( = 0.001) was significant. This study shows that hyomental distance in the neutral position is the most reliable parameter for pre-operative airway ultrasound assessment. The main limitations of the study are the small sample size, heterogeneity of studies, and absence of a standardized ultrasonographic evaluation method [Registered at International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO): number 167931].
PubMed: 34124099
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.671658