Premium
Variability in the Anterior Extralaryngeal Branch of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Clinical Implications
Author(s) -
Hessel Kara Marie,
Wright Barth,
Olinger Anthony
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.lb5
Subject(s) - recurrent laryngeal nerve , medicine , dissection (medical) , thyroidectomy , surgery , thyroid
The location and variation in the branching pattern of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) is of particular relevance to surgeons performing thyroidectomy. The variable occurrence of extralaryngeal branches (ELB) is perhaps the most surgically relevant. It is believed that, when present, the Anterior Extralaryngeal Branch (AELB) carries all of the motor fibers to the laryngeal constrictors, while the Posterior Extralaryngeal Branch (PELB) carries only sensory fibers to the laryngeal mucosa. This study aimed to identify the AELB and PELB, measure these branches when present, and compare between gender, sidedness and neck length. ELB was found in 77.78% of our population, in 77.14% left RLNs and 54.29% of right RLNs. When present, AELB length was found to be significantly longer on the left. Those individuals that exhibited ELBs were found to have significantly longer necks, on average, than those without. We suggest that surgeons measure the necks of their patients to screen for those at high risk for ELB and begin searching for ELB earlier during dissection of the left RLN, but be aware that ELB can, and does, occur in all populations at variable lengths.