Identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy

Nitin A Pagedar; Jeremy L Freeman

doi:10.1001/archoto.2009.9

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Identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy

Nitin A Pagedar and Jeremy L Freeman

Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, Vol.135(4), pp.360-362

04/2009

DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2009.9

PMID: 19380357

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Abstract

To determine the feasibility of identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during routine thyroidectomy and to describe the EBSLN position according to the Cernea classification system. Prospective case series. Academic tertiary care center. One hundred twelve consecutive patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy by the senior author between August 15 and December 31, 2007. None. Proportion of EBSLNs identified. Secondary outcome measures included EBSLN position according to Cernea classification and correlation with patient and gland characteristics. Three of 178 EBSLNs (1.7%) could not be identified using the routine technique. The EBSLN was found in the highest-risk position (Cernea type 2b, crossing the superior vascular pedicle below the upper border of the gland) in 48.3% of cases, and in the lowest-risk position (Cernea type 1, crossing more than 1 cm above the upper border) in 7.3%. Specimens larger in weight and in dimension were correlated with type 2b nerves. The EBSLN can be routinely identified during thyroidectomy. Moreover, many EBSLNs are in position to be at high risk of injury during ligation of the superior vascular pedicle.

Laryngeal Nerves - anatomy & histology

Prospective Studies

Thyroid Gland - pathology

Humans

Obesity - epidemiology

Organ Size

Thyroidectomy

Details

Title: Subtitle: Identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy
Creators: Nitin A Pagedar - Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Ave, Ste 401, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
Jeremy L Freeman
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, Vol.135(4), pp.360-362
DOI: 10.1001/archoto.2009.9
PMID: 19380357
NLM abbreviation: Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
ISSN: 0886-4470
eISSN: 1538-361X
Publisher: American Medical Association; United States
Language: English
Date published: 04/2009
Academic Unit: Otolaryngology
Record Identifier: 9984006439102771

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