ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the value of monitoring techniques of the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) in thyroid surgery and to study its protective effects on vocal function after thyroid surgery.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 139 patients who underwent primary surgery of papillary thyroid cancer with neurological monitoring from Jun.2017 to Mar.2018 in the General Surgery Department of PLA General Hospital.The tumors of 31 cases were located in the upper pole of the gland and elsewhere in 108 cases.The patients' vocal function was assessed at one week and one month after surgery.The rate of EBSLN identified visually and by the intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) were counted.EBSLN recognition efficiency and prevalence of EBSLN damage during the operation of tumor in upper pole of thyroid and in other location were compared.Results In the 139 patients,there were 218 upper poles(218 EBSLN) treated intraoperatively,of which 145 were recognized visually (126(57.8％) confirmed by IONM,and 203(93.1％) were identified by IONM,OR=8.27(x2=59.345,P=0.00).The percentage of EBLSN located in the upper pole accurately identified by the naked eye was 20/46(43.5％) while by IONM was 43/46(93.4％).The percentage of EBSLN at the other position accurately identified visually was 106/172(61.6％),and by IONM was 160/172(93.0％).The number of visually identified cases in different locations showed significantly differences according to the chi-square test (x2=4.901,P=0.027),and no significant difference by IONM identification according to chi-square test (x2=0.012,P=0.914).Five patients had a low voice at one week postoperatively and low voice and vocalization change were not observed after one month.Conclusions IONM can effectively increase the proportion of intraoperative EBSLN identification to ensure the safety of surgery.The difficulty of visual identification of EBSLN during the surgery of tumor in upper pole is greater than that in other locations.IONM can provide more evidences for nerve protection and reduce the risk of injury.
ABSTRACT
Laryngeal nerves injury,including recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve,is one of the most terrible complications of thyroid surgery.External branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is adjacent to the upper pole of thyroid gland,which make it vulnerable to be injured during the ligation of the superior thyroid vessels.As a result,patients would have phonating dysfunction,especially the changes in the voice quality alongside the alterations in the high pitched sound production ability.Intraoperative neural monitoring technique applying neural electrophysiology method to detect and protect the nerve and assess its function during the operation decreases the occurrence of EBSLN injury and improves the living quality.This article is going to make a review of the progress of the application.
ABSTRACT
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is one of the most serious complications associated with thyroid cancer surgery. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) in preventing recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy during thyroid cancer surgery, analyze and elaborate the theory, operation standard, application, benefits and disadvantage based on clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate intraoperative neural monitoring(IONM)for prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury(RLN)during thyroid cancer operation.Methods 288 cases of thyroid cancer admitted from Jun.2011 to Jun.2013 in our hospital were studied and they were divided into the observation group(140 cases) and the control group(148 cases) according to whether IONM was used during surgery.The incidence of RLN injury was compared between the 2 groups.Results The injury rate of RLN was lower in the observation group(0.67％) than in the control group(3.57％)and the operation time is shorter than the latter(P ＜0.001).There was no statistical difference for the operative bleeding volume and the average hospitalization time between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion INOM can help to shorten the operation time and reduce the incidence of RLN injury.