Jeremy Lynch1, Rajeev Parameswaran2. 1. Specialist Registrar in General Surgery, Chelsea and Westminister Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 2. Department of Endocrine Surgery, National University Hospital, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage because of thyroid and parathyroid surgery has been recognized for over a century. Injury rates have been slowly decreasing in this period while effective treatment strategies have been increasing. METHODS: Recent literature was evaluated on the topics of anatomy, pathophysiology, avoidance, and conservative and surgical treatment of RLN injury. Data for this literature review were identified by PubMed and references from relevant articles using the search terms "thyroid," "laryngeal nerve," and "injury." Only articles published in English between 1990 and 2015 were included. RESULTS: Advances in technique and equipment have made injury less likely. The evidence and role for neuromonitoring is discussed. Treatment strategies may include speech therapy, vocal cord augmentation using injection, laryngeal framework surgery techniques (including laryngoplasty and arytenoid adduction), and reinnervation. CONCLUSION: Injury rates in specialist centers are very low. Good to excellent results may be obtained in most cases.
BACKGROUND: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage because of thyroid and parathyroid surgery has been recognized for over a century. Injury rates have been slowly decreasing in this period while effective treatment strategies have been increasing. METHODS: Recent literature was evaluated on the topics of anatomy, pathophysiology, avoidance, and conservative and surgical treatment of RLN injury. Data for this literature review were identified by PubMed and references from relevant articles using the search terms "thyroid," "laryngeal nerve," and "injury." Only articles published in English between 1990 and 2015 were included. RESULTS: Advances in technique and equipment have made injury less likely. The evidence and role for neuromonitoring is discussed. Treatment strategies may include speech therapy, vocal cord augmentation using injection, laryngeal framework surgery techniques (including laryngoplasty and arytenoid adduction), and reinnervation. CONCLUSION: Injury rates in specialist centers are very low. Good to excellent results may be obtained in most cases.
Authors: Annabel S Zaat; Joep P M Derikx; Nitash Zwaveling-Soonawala; A S Paul van Trotsenburg; Christiaan F Mooij Journal: Eur Thyroid J Date: 2020-11-17
Authors: Luca Revelli; Pierpaolo Gallucci; Maria Raffaella Marchese; Nikolaos Voloudakis; Sofia Di Lorenzo; Claudio Montuori; Lucia D'Alatri; Francesco Pennestri; Carmela De Crea; Marco Raffaelli Journal: World J Surg Date: 2022-10-12 Impact factor: 3.282
Authors: Tang Xiaoyin; Li Ping; Cui Dan; Ding Min; Chi Jiachang; Wang Tao; Shi Yaoping; Wang Zhi; Zhai Bo Journal: J Cancer Date: 2018-08-06 Impact factor: 4.207