[Clinical application value of laryngeal electromyography and laryngeal somatosensory evoked potential in patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis by anterior elective cervical surgery].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical evaluation role of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) and laryngeal somatosensory evoked potential (LSEP) in the recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis by anterior elective cervical surgery.

METHODS

LEMG and LSEP were determined in 18 patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis by anterior elective cervical surgery at the 1st, 2nd and 4th week after operation. The comparison between the normal control (18 health adults) and the results of LEMG and LSEP were analyzed.

RESULTS

The latency prolonged and the amplitude decreased of LSEP in all patients as compared with the control group. Furthermore, reinneration potential increased gradually in all patients at the 1st, 2nd and 4th week after operation (P<0.05). The results of LEMG showed increase of denervation potential. The higher the amplitude of LSEP and LEMG, the better the prognosis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

CONCLUSION

LEMG and LSEP might evaluate regenerate the degree of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury caused by anterior elective cervical surgery and predict the prognosis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.