The role of intraoperative neurological monitoring in identifying the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve / 中国肿瘤临床

ABSTRACT

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during thyroid surgery has captured the attention of all thyroid surgeons,but protection of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve(EBSLN)is often ignored.Injury to the EBSLN can cause hoarseness,sound fatigue, decreased frequency range,and other symptoms.Many difficulties exist in identifying the EBSLN;therefore,most surgeons are unable to perform routine exposure and protection of the EBSLN during operation for thyroid cancer.Intraoperative neurological monitoring has the potential to identify EBSLN and evaluate its functional integrity.Revealing EBSLN routinely,along with neurological monitoring during thyroid surgery can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative neurological injury and improve operation safety.