Wen-Jing Tang 1 , Shan-Quan Sun , Xing-Lu Wang , Yu-Xing Sun , Hai-Xia Huang Show Affiliations »
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide some important information about the morphology and topography of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and inferior thyroid artery (ITA), which significantly helps localize and protect the RLN in neck surgery, especially in thyroid surgery. METHODS: Eighty adult cadavers (160 sides) fixed with formalin were dissected, analyzed and measured. RESULTS: (1) 87.5% of the RLNs gave off multiple branches like a tree; the incidence of the RLN loop, connecting one branch to another was 3.125%; in 9.375%, one branch of RLN combined with cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) or superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). (2) A double RLN appeared in four sides, a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve appeared in two cases. (3) In two cases, the RLN communicated with both of the SLN and the CSC near thyroid gland. (4) Most of the ITAs was derived from thyrocervical trunk, and divided into two or three branches before entering the thyroid gland. (5) Three ITAs gave off esophageal branch, one ITA gave off tracheal branch, one right ITA originated abnormally. (6) On the left side, the RLN was behind the ITA in 86.25% of the cases, in front of the artery in 7.5%, the nerve was between artery branches in 2.5%, the artery was between nerve branches in 1.25%, and was among the combined in 2.5%. On the right side, the RLN was in front of the artery in 75.0%, behind the artery in 10.0%, among the branches of the artery in 5.0%, 10.0% the branches of both nerves and artery were interlaced that the relationship between the branches of the nerve and the artery was uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the variability of the RLN and ITA and the complicated relationship between them, it is necessary to dissect and recognize the RLN to avoid mistaking, ignoring, and misligating of the nerve before ligating the ITA. © Springer-Verlag 2011
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide some important information about the morphology and topography of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and inferior thyroid artery (ITA), which significantly helps localize and protect the RLN in neck surgery, especially in thyroid surgery. METHODS: Eighty adult cadavers (160 sides) fixed with formalin were dissected, analyzed and measured. RESULTS: (1) 87.5% of the RLNs gave off multiple branches like a tree; the incidence of the RLN loop, connecting one branch to another was 3.125%; in 9.375%, one branch of RLN combined with cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) or superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). (2) A double RLN appeared in four sides, a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve appeared in two cases. (3) In two cases, the RLN communicated with both of the SLN and the CSC near thyroid gland. (4) Most of the ITAs was derived from thyrocervical trunk, and divided into two or three branches before entering the thyroid gland. (5) Three ITAs gave off esophageal branch , one ITA gave off tracheal branch, one right ITA originated abnormally. (6) On the left side, the RLN was behind the ITA in 86.25% of the cases, in front of the artery in 7.5%, the nerve was between artery branches in 2.5%, the artery was between nerve branches in 1.25%, and was among the combined in 2.5%. On the right side, the RLN was in front of the artery in 75.0%, behind the artery in 10.0%, among the branches of the artery in 5.0%, 10.0% the branches of both nerves and artery were interlaced that the relationship between the branches of the nerve and the artery was uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the variability of the RLN and ITA and the complicated relationship between them, it is necessary to dissect and recognize the RLN to avoid mistaking, ignoring, and misligating of the nerve before ligating the ITA. © Springer-Verlag 2011
Entities: Chemical
Disease
Mesh： See more »
Year: 2011
PMID： 22124577 DOI： 10.1007/s00276-011-0905-8
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Surg Radiol Anat ISSN： 0930-1038 Impact factor: 1.246