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BACKGROUND: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has been implicated as a common complication following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine the true incidence of voice hoarseness and RLN palsy following ACDF surgery, to determine the reliability of symptoms in the diagnosis of RLN injury, and to evaluate factors related to the development of these symptoms. METHODS: All patients undergoing elective (primary or secondary) ACDF surgery at a single institution consented to and enrolled in the present study. All approaches were through the left side. Enrolled patients received both preoperative and postoperative (within 1 month following surgery) laryngoscopy by a fellowship-trained ENT physician for evaluation of RLN function. Patients also responded as to whether they were experiencing postoperative symptoms of dysphagia, aspiration, and voice changes. RESULTS: In total, 108 patients were included in this study. Mean age of the population was 59.2 ± 10.7 years and mean body mass index was 31.2 ± 7.1 kg/m2. Three patients had previously undergone a thyroidectomy, whereas 20 patients had undergone a previous ACDF. Average intubation time for ACDF surgery was 121.6 ± 38.5 minutes. After surgery and excluding patients who were experiencing preoperative symptoms, 19 patients (20.4%) complained of dysphagia, 2 patients (1.9%) complained of aspiration symptoms, and 5 patients (4.6%) complained of voice hoarseness. There was no incidence of vocal cord palsy from postoperative laryngoscopy. From multivariate analysis, endotracheal cuff pressure after retractor placement was correlated to postoperative voice hoarseness, dysphagia, and aspiration symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of this prospective study, the RLN remained functional even a month after surgery despite several cases of postoperative dysphagia, aspiration, and voice changes. Endotracheal cuff pressure, number of vertebral levels, body mass index, and intubation time were important variables related to postoperative symptoms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Voice hoarseness does not necessarily indicate recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after ACDF but may be caused by compressive forces on laryngeal tissue during retraction or intubation. Laryngoscopy should be performed in cases with high clinical suspicion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.
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Pediatric mandible tumors are rare and generally benign but can be locally aggressive. Diagnosis and treatment involve tumor identification, excision, and subsequent reconstruction. Successful reconstruction should address form and function of the mandible while minimizing morbidity. The authors review the diagnosis and treatment of a benign pediatric mandible tumor and the use of nonvascularized rib graft for mandible reconstruction. The subject of interest is an 8-year-old boy who presented with progressive left-sided facial swelling and examination findings concerning for a mandibular neoplasm. A large bony tumor of the left mandibular ramus and condyle was identified on computed tomography scan. Needle aspiration was performed but was nondiagnostic. The patient underwent en bloc resection and immediate reconstruction utilizing nonvascularized rib graft. Pathologic analysis demonstrated a benign fibro-osseous lesion consistent with fibrous dysplasia, ossifying fibroma, or aneurysmal bone cyst. The patient had excellent recovery of jaw function and resumption of solid diet 5 weeks after reconstruction. Mandibular defects >6 cm in length often require free vascularized bone flaps for reconstruction; however, these procedures can have greater morbidity in the skeletally immature patient. Nonvascularized rib graft is a viable alternative that also allows for reconstruction of the mandibular condyle using the costocartilagenous cap of the harvested rib. The authors present this case as an example of a rare pediatric head and neck tumor and review of the approach to diagnosis and treatment, including special considerations for complex pediatric mandibular reconstruction.