Bilateral patterns and motor function of the extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Purpose: To evaluate the bilateral patterns and motor function of the extralaryngeal branches (ELB) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN).

Methods: This study included 500 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) was used in 230 patients. Demographic data, indications for surgery, the bilateral patterns of ELB of the RLN, electromyographic activity of the ELB, distance between the branching point to the entrance into the larynx, and the rate of postoperative morbidity were analyzed.

Results: The overall rate of ELB was 27.6% (276/1000). A single trunk of the RLN on both sides was found in 269 (54%) patients, whereas ELB on both sides was observed in 45 (9%) patients. The rates of ELB on the left and right sides were 26.6 and 28.6%, respectively. Of the 89 branched nerves which were dissected using IONM, an evoked motor response was present in 100% of the anterior branches and 5.6% of the posterior branches. The mean branching distance of the RLN was significantly greater in female patients than in male patients on the left side (p = 0.031). The patterns of ELB showed no significant difference in male and female patients. The rates of postoperative transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism and unilateral RLN palsy were 21.6 and 2.8%, and 3.2 and 0.8%, respectively. The rate of RLN palsy was higher in branched nerves compared to those with a single trunk (0.75 vs 0.3%; p = 0.2).

Conclusion: Unilateral ELB of the RLN might be observed in approximately 1/4 of the patients, while bilateral branching is rare. A few number of posterior branches of the RLN can have motor function. The RLN's with ELB might have a higher risk of injury compared to those with a single trunk.