Y E James1, A Doleagbenou2, I Kassegne3, B T Biramah4, K Keke2, E D Dosseh3, A E Ayite3, K James5. 1. Laboratoire d'anatomie, faculté des sciences de la santé, BP 1515, 08 BP 81574, Lomé, Togo; Service de chirurgie orthopédique, CHU Sylvanus-Olympio, BP 57, Lomé, Togo. Electronic address: nanoj@yahoo.fr. 2. Laboratoire d'anatomie, faculté des sciences de la santé, BP 1515, 08 BP 81574, Lomé, Togo. 3. Service de chirurgie générale et digestive, CHU Sylvanus-Olympio, BP 57, Lomé, Togo. 4. Laboratoire d'anatomie, faculté des sciences de la santé, BP 1515, 08 BP 81574, Lomé, Togo; Service de chirurgie orthopédique, CHU Sylvanus-Olympio, BP 57, Lomé, Togo. 5. Laboratoire d'anatomie, faculté des sciences de la santé, BP 1515, 08 BP 81574, Lomé, Togo; Service de chirurgie générale et digestive, CHU Sylvanus-Olympio, BP 57, Lomé, Togo.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: The iatrogenal lesion of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) during thyroid surgery is an incident, which can have greatest functional after-effects. Its research is recommended during cervicotomy for thyroidectomy and it can be easily found by the presence of Zuckerkandl tubercle, which is a postero-lateral excrescence of the thyroid gland. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of our study was the researching of the presence of this Zuckerkandl tubercle and appreciating the reports with the ILN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2012, we realized a continuous prospective study on a mono-operator series of 48 patients operated on for thyroidectomy. The Zuckerkandl tubercle has been researched from all the patients and classified according to the classification of Pelizzo et al. RESULTS: From 21 patients (43.75%), the Zuckerkandl tubercle has been well identified and it was grade 3 and grade 2. In those cases, the ILN was very closed to the tubercle. For the 27 other patients (56.25%), the tubercle was practically undetectable or reduced to a small glandular mound (grades 0 and 1). The connections with the nerve in this case were less evident. CONCLUSION: The zuckerkandl tubercle is comparatively frequent and is refound more than one time over 3 in our study. Its presence makes easier the identification of the ILN, which entertains a dangerous connection with the thyroid gland.
UNLABELLED: The iatrogenal lesion of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) during thyroid surgery is an incident, which can have greatest functional after-effects. Its research is recommended during cervicotomy for thyroidectomy and it can be easily found by the presence of Zuckerkandl tubercle, which is a postero-lateral excrescence of the thyroid gland. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of our study was the researching of the presence of this Zuckerkandl tubercle and appreciating the reports with the ILN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2012, we realized a continuous prospective study on a mono-operator series of 48 patients operated on for thyroidectomy. The Zuckerkandl tubercle has been researched from all the patients and classified according to the classification of Pelizzo et al. RESULTS: From 21 patients (43.75%), the Zuckerkandl tubercle has been well identified and it was grade 3 and grade 2. In those cases, the ILN was very closed to the tubercle. For the 27 other patients (56.25%), the tubercle was practically undetectable or reduced to a small glandular mound (grades 0 and 1). The connections with the nerve in this case were less evident. CONCLUSION: The zuckerkandl tubercle is comparatively frequent and is refound more than one time over 3 in our study. Its presence makes easier the identification of the ILN, which entertains a dangerous connection with the thyroid gland.