Screening for Vocal Fold Movement Impairment in Children Undergoing Esophageal and Airway Surgery

Abstract

IntroductionChildren undergoing cervical and/or thoracic operations are at risk for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, resulting in vocal fold movement impairment (VFMI). Screening for VFMI is often reserved for symptomatic patients.ObjectiveIdentify the prevalence of VFMI in screened preoperative patients prior to an at‐risk operation to evaluate the value of screening all patients at‐risk for VFMI, regardless of symptoms.MethodsA single center, retrospective review of all patients undergoing a preoperative flexible nasolaryngoscopy between 2017 and 2021, examining the presence of VFMI and associated symptoms.ResultsWe evaluated 297 patients with a median (IQR) age of 18 (7.8, 56.3) months and a weight of 11.3 (7.8, 17.7) kilograms. Most had a history of esophageal atresia (EA, 60%), and a prior at‐risk cervical or thoracic operation (73%). Overall, 72 (24%) patients presented with VFMI (51% left, 26% right, and 22% bilateral). Of patients with VFMI, 47% did not exhibit the classic symptoms (stridor, dysphonia, and aspiration) of VFMI. Dysphonia was the most prevalent classic VFMI symptom, yet only present in 18 (25%) patients. Patients presenting with a history of at‐risk surgery (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.1, 4.8, p = 0.03), presence of a tracheostomy (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.0, 10.0, p = 0.04), or presence of a surgical feeding tube (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.6, 6.2, p = 0.001) were more likely to present with VFMI.ConclusionRoutine screening for VFMI should be considered in all at‐risk patients, regardless of symptoms or prior operations, particularly in those with a history of an at‐risk surgery, presence of tracheostomy, or a surgical feeding tube.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 133:3564–3570, 2023