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Total thyroidectomy is safer with identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) identification on the complications after total thyroidectomy and lobectomy.

Methods

Total 134 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy from January 2003 to November 2004 were investigated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: RLN identified (Group A) or not (Group B). The two groups were compared for RLN injury and hypocalcaemia.

Results

The numbers of patients and nerves at risk were 71 and 129 in Group A, and 63 and 121 in Group B, respectively. RLN injury in Group A (0) was significantly lower than that in Group B (5 [7.9%]) patients, 7 [5.8%] nerves) for the numbers of patients (P=0.016) and nerves at risk (P=0.006). Temporary hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (14 [24.1%] vs 6 [10.3%], P=0.049). Permanent complications in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A (13 [20.6%] vs 4 [5.6%], P=0.009).

Conclusion

RLN injury was prevented and permanent complications were decreased by identifying the whole course and branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, 33079, Mersin, Turkey

    Hakan Canbaz, Musa Dirlik, Tahsin Colak, Koray Ocal, Tamer Akca, Oner Bilgin & Suha Aydin

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, 33079, Mersin, Turkey

    Bahar Tasdelen

Authors
  1. Hakan Canbaz
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  2. Musa Dirlik
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  3. Tahsin Colak
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  4. Koray Ocal
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  5. Tamer Akca
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  6. Oner Bilgin
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  7. Bahar Tasdelen
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  8. Suha Aydin
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Correspondence to Hakan Canbaz.

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Canbaz, H., Dirlik, M., Colak, T. et al. Total thyroidectomy is safer with identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B 9, 482–488 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0820033

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0820033

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