[How to avoid hoarseness for operation of schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve].

OBJECTIVE

To avoid hoarseness for operation of schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve (SVN).

METHODS

From Jan. 1997 to Sept. 2001, ten cases of SVN were operated. The procedures were as follows: Exposing the tumor and the vagus nerve, confirming its origin from the fascicle of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or the fascicle of non-RLN, making an small incision on the posterolateral surface of the tumor, usually posterior to the internal jugular vein, and then tearing and enlarging the small incision to enucleate the tumor.

RESULTS

Two of the four cases of SVN originated from the fascicle of RLN happened temporary hoarseness and other two without hoarseness. All six cases of SVN originated from the fascicle of non-RLN, but one, happened no hoarseness.

CONCLUSION

Above-mentioned technique is a good and reliable method to avoid hoarseness in the operation of SVN.