Postoperative management of unilateral RLN paralysis

Abstract

The most common cause of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) dysfunction is iatrogenic injury, and recognition and management of RLN injury after surgery should be a part of the head and neck surgeon's armamentarium. This chapter discusses the examination and workup of RLN injury, management of vocal fold paresis/paralysis, and interventions that can be offered to the patient in the postoperative setting.