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Nimodipine and Microsurgery Induced Recovery of the Vocal Cord after Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Resection
Author(s) -
Mattsson P,
Björck G,
Remahl S,
Bäckdahl M,
Hamberger B,
Hydman J,
Svensson M
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1097/01.mlg.0000177034.51559.50
Subject(s) - medicine , recurrent laryngeal nerve , nimodipine , reinnervation , larynx , surgery , anesthesia , cord , microsurgery , vocal cord paralysis , superior laryngeal nerve , paralysis , thyroid , calcium
Transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve leads to permanent palsy of the vocal cord. Experimental studies have confirmed that nimodipine increases the pace of axonal regeneration. We present a case of a 19‐year‐old male, suffering a thyroid cancer disease, who was subjected to unilateral resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery. The nerve was repaired with a nerve graft and the patient further treated with nimodipine for 3 months. Evaluation of the patient showed normalization of voice, movement of the vocal cord on the injured side, and electromyography evidence of reinnervation of the larynx muscles at 15 months after surgery.