Abstract
Introduction: Objective of study is to provide a quantitative description of the amount of RLN irritation during ACDF and to correlate the amount of irritation with operative parameters.
Methods: In a series of 98 patients undergoing ACDF continuous IEMG monitoring of the vocal cords was performed with a specially designed, commercially available Endotracheal Tube. The amount of irritation was described as irritation score (IS) by use of our proposed formula IS=log( ∑ (AxD)/B ), where A is the amplitude of irritation, D the duration of irritation and B the baseline irritation
Results: The amount of RLN irritation as described by our formula was statistically higher in patients that had undergone previous surgery compared to de novo cases (p= 0.024), and in cases where self retained retractors were used compared to handheld retractors (p= 0.020). Although results were not statistically significant, the irritation score was higher in patients presented with postoperative hoarseness.
Conclusions: The use of our proposed scale may be a useful adjunct in the prevention of RLN injury in patients undergoing ACD with or without fusion.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
