Association of the use of harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy with recurrent laryngeal nerve Protection

Objective To investigate whether the use of harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy was beneficial for recurrent laryngeal nerve protection. Methods Four hundred and ninty-one patients underwent thyroidectomy with harmonic scalpel or conventional hemostasis. The incidences of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after operation were compared between two groups. Results In 263 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with harmonic scalpel, two cases presented as transient hoarseness after operati- ons, due to thermal burning the nerve, which recovered in three months. In 228 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with conventional hemostasis, seven cases presented as hoarseness after operations, among which, three cases got recovery in one week, after the ligated nerve was promptly relaxed during operation. three cases got recovery in three months to one year, while another one did not get any recovery one year after operation. Conclusions The use of harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy is beneficial for blood loss reduction and recurrent laryngeal nerve affirmation. Avoiding the thermal burning of ultrasonic knife near thyroid cartilage is helpful in recurrent laryngeal nerve protection. Key words: Thyroidectomy; Recurrent laryngeal nerve; Harmonic scalpel