EC Paediatrics

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) iatrogenic injury is one of the most serious complications in thyroid surgery. Paralysis of vocal cords can represent a serious complication inducing, when bilateral, serious functional sequelae such as phonatory, respiratory and psychological problems that limit working capacities and social relationships of patients.

Objective: To study the importance of searching, identification and exposure of the RLN during thyroid surgery.

Patients and Methods: 20 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were reviewed for RLN paralysis between December of 2016 to July of 2017. Intraoperative identification of RLN at RLN triangle. Postoperative, assessment of RLN integrity was determined by using flexible nasolaryngoscopy 7 days after the procedure to visualize the vocal cord mobility.

Results: RLNs were identified intraoperatively in all patients. Concerning the postoperative results, flexible nasolaryngoscopy was utilized in all patients one week after the procedure. All patients had bilateral mobile vocal cords after the first week postoperatively.

Conclusion: Iatrogenic injury to the RLN or to its branches could be avoided by searching, identifying, and exposing the nerve itself and by following its course with care.

 Keywords: Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN); Thyroid Surgery; Iatrogenic Injury; Vocal Cord; Nasolaryngoscopy

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