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Incidence and risk factors of neonates with vocal cord immobility after cardiac surgery
Dissertation   Open access

Incidence and risk factors of neonates with vocal cord immobility after cardiac surgery

Amanda Jones
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
May 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7398
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Abstract

Vocal cords Congenital heart disease in children--Surgery Postoperative care Nursing
Background: Unilateral vocal cord immobility (UVCI) negatively impacts the ability to provide adequate and safe nutrition to neonates after cardiac surgery (Dewan, Cephus, Owczarzak, & Ocampo, 2012; Strychowsky, Rukholm, Gupta, & Reid, 2014). Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of UVCI in patients (0-30 days old) undergoing cardiac surgery to promote earlier diagnosis, standardize management, safer feeding and decreased length of stay. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all infants who underwent cardiac surgery within the first 30 days of life during a one year period. Evaluation: Data was received de-identified from the PC4 database and analyzed. Descriptive analysis was utilized to determine incidence of vocal cord immobility. Results: The incidence of UVCI was 6.7%. There were no statistically significantly risk factors, although there was predominance in female infants (66.7%) and those with aortic arch involvement (88.9%). Birth weight, gestational age, age and weight at the time of surgery and length of stay were not found to be risk factors for UVCI. Clinical Implications: Without evaluating all patients, true incidence of UVCI cannot be determined. The lack of heterogeneity and insignificant number of patients with UVCI precludes risk factor identification. Future research should include prospective studies to reveal true incidence of UVCI, as well as standardizing the at management and future recovery of vocal cord function.

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