Bianca Oliveira Ismael da Costa1, Darlyane de Souza Barros Rodrigues1, Ary Serrano Santos2, Leandro Pernambuco1,3,4. 1. Graduate Program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (PPgFon), 28097Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Paraíba, Brazil. 2. Lauro Wanderley University Hospital (HULW/EBSERH), 28097Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Paraíba, Brazil. 3. Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (PPgFon), 28097Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Paraíba, Brazil. 4. Graduate Program in Decision and Health Models (PPgMDS-UFPB), Paraíba, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This review set out to examine the applicability of transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography (TLUSG) for the assessment of laryngeal function after thyroidectomy. METHODS: An integrative review of the literature was performed using Medline/PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases. The methodological quality of the studies was analyzed using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: All 8 included articles investigated laryngeal function with regard to the risk of vocal fold immobility after thyroidectomy. The results regarding the diagnostic power of TLUSG for this assessment are controversial, and there is a tendency to use this examination as a screening procedure for subsequent confirmation by flexible laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography is a viable, noninvasive, and useful tool to assess laryngeal function after thyroidectomy, but current available evidence suggests that it does not replace flexible laryngoscopy for the diagnosis of vocal fold immobility.
OBJECTIVE: This review set out to examine the applicability of transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography (TLUSG) for the assessment of laryngeal function after thyroidectomy. METHODS: An integrative review of the literature was performed using Medline/PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases. The methodological quality of the studies was analyzed using the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: All 8 included articles investigated laryngeal function with regard to the risk of vocal fold immobility after thyroidectomy. The results regarding the diagnostic power of TLUSG for this assessment are controversial, and there is a tendency to use this examination as a screening procedure for subsequent confirmation by flexible laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography is a viable, noninvasive, and useful tool to assess laryngeal function after thyroidectomy, but current available evidence suggests that it does not replace flexible laryngoscopy for the diagnosis of vocal fold immobility.