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Two cases of left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after right superior mediastinal node dissection
Yasuyuki Nakamura1, Yuma Shindo1, Wataru Arai1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8543, Japan.
Background:
Ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis is one of the rare complications during the superior mediastinal node dissection for lung cancer. However, very few reports of contralateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis during the procedure are available.
Case Presentation:
Two women aged 74 and 80 years developed hoarseness after undergoing right upper lobectomy and right superior mediastinal node dissection for primary lung cancer. Postoperative laryngoscopy in the two patients confirmed left vocal cord paralysis.
Conclusion:
Node dissection is performed in the standard procedure for right upper lobe lung cancer. At this time, care must be taken not to cause damage not only to the recurrent laryngeal nerve on the ipsilateral side but also to the recurrent laryngeal nerve on the contralateral side.
