Pediatric vocal fold paralysis after cardiac surgery: Rate of recovery and sequelae

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery Vol. 137; no. 5; pp. 780 - 784
• Main Authors: Truong, Mai Thy, Messner, Anna H., Kerschner, Joseph E., Scholes, Melissa, Wong-Dominguez, Jaime, Milczuk, Henry A., Yoon, Patricia J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Mosby, Inc 01-11-2007; SAGE Publications
• Subjects: Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cord Paralysis - etiology; Vocal Cord Paralysis - physiopathology; Vocal Cord Paralysis - surgery
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2007.07.028

To determine the rate of recovery of pediatric vocal fold paralysis (VFP) after cardiac surgery.
Retrospective case series from January 2000 to 2005 at 4 tertiary care pediatric hospitals.
A total of 109 children with VFP were identified. Of 80 patients with follow-up >3 months, 28 (35%) recovered vocal fold function with a median time to diagnosis of recovery of 6.6 months. Fifty-two (65%) patients had persistent vocal fold paralysis with a median follow-up time of 16.4 months. Twenty-five (45%) of 55 patients demonstrated aspiration or laryngeal penetration with modified barium swallow. Twenty-nine (27%) of the 109 patients underwent surgical intervention for their airway, feeding, or voice.
Pediatric VFP is not an uncommon complication after cardiac surgery and can result in serious sequelae. This study demonstrates a 35% rate of recovery, 45% rate of aspiration, and 27% rate of complications that require surgical intervention.