Premium
Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery: Frequency, anatomical variations according to a new classification and surgery consideration
Author(s) -
Le Van Quang,
Ngo Quoc Duy,
Ngo Xuan Quy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25771
Subject(s) - medicine , thyroid , thyroidectomy , radiology , surgery
Background The nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare embryologically derived variant of the RLN. We aimed to identify the proportion of NRLN (during thyroidectomy), classify clinical NRLN types, and recommend some surgical considerations. Method In this prospective study, from May 2017 to September 2018, our hospital carried out 2158 thyroid operations. We reported the NRLN rate and distinguished NRLN into four types. Results Overall, NRLN had an incidence rate of 0.74% (16 out of 2158 total thyroid surgeries). We did not detect any patient with left‐sided NRLN. The traveling patterns of the nerves could be classified as descending (12.5%), vertical (25%), ascending (37.5%), or V‐shaped (25%). Conclusion The NRLN is a rare variation of the RLN. From our experience, we recommend the guidelines will help surgeons to avoid NRLN injury.