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Are pre-operative vocal fold checks necessary?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

K. M. J. Green  and
J. P. de Carpentier
K. M. J. Green*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
J. P. de Carpentier
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Preston Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr K. M. J. Green, Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton
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Abstract

Over a 26-year period, from 1970 to 1995, 2250 pre-operative vocal fold checks were carried out by the ENT team at Manchester Royal Infirmary in patients undergoing thyroid, parathyroid and cardiothoracic surgery. A register was kept of all pre-operative fold checks. This register was retrospectively analysed and 23 vocal fold palsies were documented. In six of these patients the notes were either missing or incomplete. All of the remaining 17 patients had a history suggestive of vocal fold palsy. We suggest that in the absence of symptoms, either current or on history, a routine pre-operative vocal fold check is unnecessary.

Keywords

Vocal cordsLaryngoscopyPre-operative careThyroidectomy
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 113 , Issue 7 , July 1999 , pp. 642 - 644
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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