Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) following esophagectomy for carcinoma

Background The aim of this study was to report the frequency of post-operative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) following resection for esophageal carcinoma. Patients and methods Four hundred and four patients were studied. Diagnosis of post-operative RLNP was performed by indirect laryngoscopy. Tumour characteristics, surgical approach and perioperative morbidity and mortality following esophageal resection were recorded. Results Sixty patients were diagnosed with post-operative RLNP, of whom 47 had a unilateral and 16 a bilateral lesion. RLNP was more frequently diagnosed after transhiatal resection with cervical esophagogastrostomy as compared to abdomino-thoracic resection (p=0.06). A higher rate of post-operative pneumonia was evident in patients with RLNP (33 of 63 as opposed to 90 of 341; p=0.027). Conclusion RLNP is associated with a significant morbidity, especially pulmonary complications after resection of esophageal cancer.