Intra-operative laryngeal adductor reflex monitoring during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a case report

Abstract

Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is a potentially debilitating complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, which can lead to dysphonia, dysphagia, and aspiration. Intraoperative laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) monitoring is a newly developed technique to assess and monitor RLN integrity. However, the role of LAR monitoring in ACDF surgery is poorly studied. Here, we describe a case in which intraoperative LAR monitoring was successfully performed during ACDF. Intraoperative LAR responses disappeared during surgery; however, the waveform recovered almost to the baseline level before the end of surgery. Neither postoperative dysphagia nor dysphonia was observed. Thus, we propose that intraoperative LAR monitoring may be useful to monitor and prevent RLN injury during ACDF surgery.