Palsy of the recurrent nerve following mediastinoscopy

As demonstrated in earlier material, the frequency of palsy of the recurrent nerve following mediastinoscopy varies from 0.18 to 0.53 percent (17,000 patients). In 67 patients operated via mediastinoscopy, where pre- and postoperation indirect laryngoscopy was carried out, four postoperative palsies (6 percent) were discovered. Of these, 3 were found among the 24 patients with malignant infiltration of the mediastinum. The value of pre- and postoperation examination of the larynx is stressed.