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Objective Measures of Laryngeal Function After Reinnervation of the Anterior and Posterior Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Branches
Author(s) -
Peterson K. Linnea,
Andrews Robert,
Manek Akshay,
Ye Ming,
Sercarz Joel A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199806000-00019
Subject(s) - reinnervation , medicine , larynx , synkinesis , recurrent laryngeal nerve , anatomy , cord , transplantation , surgery , anesthesia , alternative medicine , thyroid , pathology , palsy
Previous research indicates that separate reinnervation of the anterior and posterior branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can provide purposeful motion of the larynx, even after transplantation. This canine study was undertaken to better determine the results of RLN reinnervation after nerve transection distal to its bifurcation. This approximates ideal conditions for transplantation, because potential rejection and nerve branch mismatch are eliminated. Eight months after nerve repair, video, electromyographic, mechanical, and histologic data were collected on four canines. Results show return of appropriate motion without synkinesis, including purposeful abduction on endotracheal tube occlusion. Abductory function was weaker on the reinnervated side, but adduction was equal or stronger on the reinnervated vocal cord. These results indicate that this method of RLN reinnervation produces consistent, strong physiologic motion in the denervated larynx.