Clinical significance and anatomical character of the non-recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery

Objective To explore the experience of anatomizing the non-recurrent laryngeal nerve and how to discern and prevent the injury of this nerve in thyroid surgery.Methods The clinical data of 3637 cases of thyroid tumor admitted from January 2004 to December 2006 in the Department of Thyroid Neck Tumor of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively in exposing the recurrent laryngeal nerve.Results Among all the cases,2875 cases were performed recurrent laryngeal nerve exposure.Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve in the right-lateral neck was found in 7 cases and the incidence was 0.24%.Conclusion The clinical incidence of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve is low,but it should be paid more attention by surgeons.The non-recurrent laryngeal nerves are always found in the right-lateral neck.