RESUMO
OBJECTIVE To summarize the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring system for monitoring and protection of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. METHODS There were 21 cases in this study, included 5 cases with thyroid cancer, 9 cases with thyroid benign tumor and 7cases with hyperthyroidism. Intraoperative neuromonitoring system includes the host monitor, stimulus detection pin of recurrent laryngeal nerve, special EMG endotracheal intubation tube which contacts vocal cord, grounding conductive circuit electrode, and anti-jamming probe. Operation method: a "three-step method" was adopted. First we revealed the cervical vagus nerve trunk and tested our instruments, and then dissected and protected the recurrent laryngeal nerve, followed by removal of thyroid tissue. RESULTS In all 21 patients, operative side recurrent laryngeal nerve were exposed from lower thyroid blood vessels to the larynx. All patients were phonated as well as before operation, and without drinking cough. CONCLUSION The intraoperative neuromonitoring system can avoid damage of the recurrent laryngeal nerves when we exposed the recurrent laryngeal nerve before resection of the thyroid tissue and tumor.