[Course of recurrent nerve paralysis after thyroid operation].

In congenial collaboration with the otolaryngological department, Landeskrankenanstalten Salzburg, we have examined 216 patients with recurrent paresis within a postoperative period between half a year and 17 years. Thereby, we could note in 40% of the patients a complete disappearance of vocal cord paralysis. Disruption of the nerves, intubation damage and postoperative edemas have to be assumed to be causes of this temporary paresis. The result of the laryngological examination in no case coincided with the recovery of voice quality. The percentage of patients who were satisfied with their voice was much higher (90%), which is most important.