The Incidence Of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury During Thyroid Surgery

Abstract

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is
an important post-thyroidectomy complication for
which different modalities of treatment were
practiced to lower its incidence.
Objectives: To estimate the incidence of
recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in thyroid surgeries
in relation to type of surgery, type of gland diseases
& nerve identification.
Methods: Different types of goiters prepared
preoperatively by indirect laryngoscopy, operated
upon with different types of surgeries, postoperative
direct laryngoscopy by the anaesthetist were done
and indirect laryngoscopy done as needed.
Results: Of of 200 patients, the overall incidence
of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 9
Patients (4.5%), 7 patients (77.8%) were unilateral
nerve injury & 2 patients (22.2%) were bilateral
nerve injury. The percent of temporary nerve injury
was 8 patients (88.89%) & permanent injury 1
patient (11.11%).the incidence of injury in females
was (4.57%) & in males was (4%). Injury was 1
patient out of 13 (7.69%) in total thyroidectomy, 1
patient out of 11 (9.09%) in completion
thyroidectomy. Injury in malignant goiter was 2
patients (10%).finally it was higher if nerve was not
identified (6.15%) than if identified (1.42%).
Conclusion: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is
more in malignant goiters, in more extensive
surgery & if peroperative nerve identification was
not practiced.