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Thyroid tubercle of zuckerkandl: Importance in thyroid surgery
Author(s) -
Sheahan Patrick,
Murphy Matthew S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.22188
Subject(s) - recurrent laryngeal nerve , thyroid , medicine , total thyroidectomy , anatomical landmark , thyroidectomy , surgery , tubercle , biology , bacteria , bacilli , genetics
Objective: The Tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ), which is the remant of the lateral thyroid process, is an important anatomic structure that serves as a reliable landmark for the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery. Furthermore, removal of the TZ is critical for the adequate performance of a total thyroidectomy. However, there is little mention of the TZ in surgical textbooks or papers. Methods: Prospective observational study of 138 consecutive thyroid surgeries. The presence of the TZ, its size, and relationship to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, were recorded. Results: A total of 211 thyroid lobes were included in the study. The TZ was identified in 61.1% of all thyroid lobes. The median size was 8 mm (range = 3–40 mm). A TZ was more commonly identified on the right (69.6%) than on the left side (53.2%) ( P = .02). The recurrent laryngeal nerve was found deep to the TZ in 98.4% of cases. Conclusions: A TZ is present in the majority of thyroid lobes. Awareness of the TZ is critical in performing an adequate total thyroidectomy, and is very useful as a landmark for the recurrent laryngeal nerve.