Pre-Operative Vocal Cord Palsy in Goitre Patient

Abstract

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of vocal cord palsy and the relative prevalence of asymptomatic vocal cord palsy in pre-operative goitre patients using flexible fibreoptic laryngoscope (FFL) as a laryngeal  visualisation technique.

Design: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted throughout 2011 on consecutive, consenting pre-operative goitre patients referred to the E.N.T Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Ilorin, Nigeria.

Setting: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (U.I.T.H) Ilorin is a 600-bedded tertiary institution, serving primarily patients from Kwara State.

Subjects: One hundred and ten consenting patients, age 16 and above- whose cooperation could easily be gained for an awake-laryngoscopy procedure.

Results: Mean age, 42.98 ± 14.71. Female: Male = 4.5:1. Palsy rate was 2.9% and 25% in benign and malignant goitre respectively. Hoarseness was reported by 3(2.7%) patients with vocal cord palsy (p 0.001). Asymptomatic palsy was 40%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of pre-operative vocal cord palsy was 4.5%; Relative prevalence was 2.9% and relative prevalence was 25% in benign and malignant goitre respectively.