[Injection into the vocal fold using a bronchofiberscope after esophagectomy]

Postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis is one of the most common complications after esophagectomy. We performed injection into the paralyzed vocal fold using a flexible bronchofiberscope 40 times in 27 patients. Injection was carried out without difficulty and morbidity like as therapeutic bronchoscopy after esophagectomy. This method is recommended to thoracic surgeons as an usefull technique in postoperative care after esophagectomy, especially for prevention of postoperative pulmonary complication.