Surgical treatment of bronchial asthma by resection of the laryngeal nerve

BACKGROUND: Management of asthma in chronically affected patients is a serious health problem. Our aim was to show that surgical treatment of chronic bronchial asthma by unilateral resection of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (ib-SLN) is an adequateand lasting remedial response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 41 (26 male and 15 female) patients with bronchial chronic asthma were treated surgically during the period between 2005 and 2013. It consisted of a unilateral resection of the ib-SLN under optical zoom, on patients placed in supinator position. 35 patients (24 male and 11 female) who were un-operated were included as a control. RESULTS: In all patients, medication was reduced progressively. When the results were compared with the control group, it was seen that in 26 % of the patients, both forced expiratory volume (FEV) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) increased significantly (p <05) and only modestly in 53.6 % of patients (FEV, p <05 and PEF, p <05). In the remaining 20 % of patients, these parameters remained however unchanged. Overall, in 80 % of patients unilateral resection of the ib-SLN gave satisfactory results because it shortened the intervals and duration of asthmatic attacks, rendering thereby a reduction in medication. CONCLUSION: This minimal-invasive method helped prevent/cure asphyxias in chronic bronchial asthma without affecting cough reflex,respiratory control and phonation and it helped patients avoid severe crisis. This approach is of interest for patients with severe and/or uncontrolled bronchial asthma in settings with limited access to drug treatment.