Objectives: To analyze the frequency of extralaryngeal branching (ELB) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in a consecutive series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy by the same group of surgeons during an extended period and to compare our findings with the data available in the literature.

Design: Retrospective medical record study.

Setting: Academic research.

Patients: From March 1, 1983, to September 30, 2008, 2677 patients underwent thyroidectomy. Of these, 1638 patients had surgical information about at least 1 RLN. A total of 1081 patients underwent bilateral operations. During the last 5 years of the study, intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was performed in selected patients using a commercially available system.

Main Outcome Measures: Information was obtained regarding 2154 RLNs.

Results: A total of 1390 RLNs (64.53%) had ELB. Among 447 patients in whom intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was used, the anterior branches usually exhibited more electrophysiologic activity.

Conclusions: Extralaryngeal branching was found in 64.53% of RLNs in this case series. In recent patients with intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring, electrophysiologic activity was observed in the branches, particularly the anteriorly situated ones. Recognition of this frequent anatomical configuration and meticulous preservation of all branches are of paramount importance to decrease postoperative morbidity associated with thyroidectomy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2009.151DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

laryngeal nerve
20
intraoperative laryngeal
12
nerve monitoring
12
recurrent laryngeal
8
extralaryngeal branching
8
series patients
8
patients underwent
8
patients intraoperative
8
patients
7
nerve
5

Similar Publications

Background: Laparoscopic-assisted single-port mediastinoscopic esophagectomy is a safe and effective emerging minimally invasive esophagectomy, but little has been reported about the learning curve for this technology. The goal of the study was to determine the number of procedures to achieve different levels of proficiency on the learning curve.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive surgeries performed by the same surgeon at the same center from 2016 to 2021.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The subclavian artery's intrathoracic segment is a rare peripheral artery aneurysm site. Common causes are atherosclerosis, trauma, vasculitis, and infection. Subclavian artery aneurysms have a higher propensity for rupture, thrombosis, embolization, and compression of surrounding structures, thus necessitating urgent surgical care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is not considered standard of care during thyroidectomy, and guidelines are vague about its use in the absence of strong evidence of superiority over visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) alone.

Objective: To characterize patterns of IONM use during thyroidectomy in the US and evaluate the association of IONM with postoperative outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) thyroidectomy data from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The unprecedented technical and technological evolution in thyroid surgery has labelled it as an extremely safe and efficient procedure, and indeed "typifies perhaps better than any other operation the supreme triumph of the surgeon's art."-William Halsted, 1852-1922. Surgeon's experience reflected by annual case load is the most important denominator in thyroid surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: One of the most important surgical steps during thyroidectomy is the safe ligation of vessels. In fact, it is crucial to avoid postoperative bleeding and nerves' injury. The "clamp and tie" technique was first introduced in the 19th century.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!