BACKGROUND:

The aim of this prospective study was to identify the arterial anomalies constantly associated with nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve by preoperative ultrasonography and impact on recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve palsy (RILN).

METHOD:

The study included 332 patients who underwent thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy between 2009 February and 2011 October. Preoperative ultrasonography was performed to all patients to identify vascular anomalies related to NRILN. CT was performed only in patients with NRILN predicted with preoperative ultrasonography. Systematic nerve dissection was performed surgically. Patient characteristics, type of NRILN, preoperative and postoperative vocal cord mobility and morbidity were recorded.

RESULTS:

The NRILN was identified in 6 patients on the right side (1.94%). Preoperative ultrasonography predicted NRILN in all cases (accuracy 100%).

CONCLUSION:

Ultrasonography is a very reliable and simple method to be used in preoperative assessment to identify vascular anomaly associated with NRILN to make optimal surgical decisions against nerve damage in patients undergoing thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy. Adequate surgical technique is of great importance.

Copyright © 2012 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.