Laryngeal recurrent nerve dissections in thyroidectomy

Objective To evaluate different laryngeal recurrent nerve dissections in thyroidectomy for benign and malignant thyroid diseases. Methods The chnical data of 572 patients undergoing thyroideetomy with at least one side nerve exposure were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among 572 cases,a total of 652 nerves were exposed,among those 451 were by lateral exposure,144 by inferior exposure,57 by superior exposure.Two non-recurrent laryngeal nerves were found in 572 cases.There were 6 cases referred to our department for postthyroidectomy hoarseness undergoing reexploration and it Was found that the laryngeal recurrent nerve were legated in 3 cases and severed in the other 3 cases.In this series,among those suffering from postoperative hoarseness at our own hospital,there were 3 cases in which the nerve was invaded by the tumor and it was unable to dissect the nerve intact from the tumor,while the other 4 were cases referred to our hospital for incomplete thyroidectomy and undergoing a difficult extensive second operation.Conclusions The use of lateral、inferior and superior exposure of laryngeal recurrent nerve dissection can ensure the safety and integrity of the nerve. Key words: Thyroidectomy;  Recurrent laryngeal nerve;  Intraoperative complications