Postoperative Vocal Fold Immobility in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Surgery.
Vocal fold immobility after pulmonary artery reconstruction linked to more feeding tubes at discharge.
Postoperative Vocal Fold Immobility in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Surgery.
Children undergoing pulmonary artery (pulmonary artery) reconstruction for pulmonary artery stenosis or major aortopulmonary collaterals are at risk for vocal fold immobility (vocal fold immobility), but incidence and risk factors are poorly understood.
We analyzed risk factors for and outcomes of vocal fold immobility in patients undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery between 2018 and 2024 using a 2:1 case-control design.
nearly twice as many vocal fold immobility patients left with a feeding tube
Of 488 eligible patients, 80 (16%) were diagnosed with new postoperative vocal fold immobility.
Significant risk factors for vocal fold immobility included multiple prior cardiac surgeries and presence of distal pulmonary artery branch stents.
Case patients had longer postoperative stays in the hospital (20 vs 14 days; P = .002) and intensive care unit (12 vs 10 days; P = .046).
At 1-year follow up, 54% of case patients remained dependent on tube feeds vs 16% of controls.
Patients undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery are at risk for vocal fold immobility, with risk factors related to complex mediastinal disease and abnormal or variable recurrent laryngeal nerve anatomy.
Although injection laryngoplasty appeared to be beneficial, patients with vocal fold immobility frequently required tube feeding after hospital discharge.
These findings will help with preoperative counseling and anticipatory management after pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery.