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Safety and tolerability of the implantable recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulator
Author(s) -
Wernicke J. F.,
Friedman Michael,
Caldarelli David D.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1288/00005537-199410000-00010
Subject(s) - tolerability , medicine , vagus nerve , vagus nerve stimulation , recurrent laryngeal nerve , anesthesia , complication , surgery , adverse effect , stimulation , thyroid
The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stimulator has been implanted on a limited basis since 1988 for control of spasmodic dysphonia. A similar vagus nerve stimulator has been implanted in a larger series of patients to control epilepsy. The safety and tolerability of these two stimulators were evaluated. In 113 patients implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator, the complication rate was 0.9%. All patients were monitored for vital signs, electrocardiographic changes, and adverse effects. The absence of changes in vital signs and electrocardiograms during vagal stimulation establishes the safety of this treatment. Since placement of the electrode around the vagus nerve is an easier surgical technique than placement deep to the RLN, it seems reasonable to change the technique to implant the stimulator on the vagus in patients with spasmodic dysphonia.