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Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Surgical anatomy and perioperative visualization

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is considered to be the most severe complication in thyroid surgery. Overall incidence of transient RLNP is reported to be 0.4–12%, and that of permanent RLNP can reach up to 5–6%. In order to decrease the rates of RLNP and to determine clinical practice guidelines for the advancement of thyroid surgery, a thorough knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the neck, assessment of current guidelines and evaluation of the new techniques are required. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the RLN has been proposed for the identification and protection of the RLN. Preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopy is indispensable for reliable functional nerve assessment and RLNP management in thyroid surgery, with or without the usage of IONM. The international standards guideline statement of the International Intraoperative Monitoring Study Group focuses on the use of IONM as this new technique appears to be gaining a pivotal role in the identification, protection and management of the RLN. RLN injury is the most severe complication in thyroid surgery. In order to eliminate this complication, apart from a profound knowledge of the regional anatomy, thyroid surgeons should also take into account current clinical practice guidelines and enhance them with their clinical experience and new data published in the literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Surgery, Medical School, Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    I.M. Koutelidakis, A. Doundis, G. Chatzimavroudis & J. Makris

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  1. I.M. Koutelidakis
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  2. A. Doundis
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  3. G. Chatzimavroudis
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  4. J. Makris
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Correspondence to I.M. Koutelidakis.

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Koutelidakis, I., Doundis, A., Chatzimavroudis, G. et al. Recurrent laryngeal nerve. Hellenic J Surg 87, 78–81 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0186-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0186-5

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