Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Early Localization and Identification of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Thyroid Surgery

Early and definite identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is an important step to avoid inadvertent nerve injury during complicated thyroid operations. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of routine use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) to localize and identify the RLN at an early stage of thyroid surgery. This prospective study enrolled 220 consecutive patients (333 RLNs at risk) who underwent thyroid operations with application of IONM. The RLN was localized and identified routinely with a nerve stimulator after opening the space between the thyroid and carotid sheath. The success rates of early RLN localization and identification were evaluated. The current for localization and the amplitude of evoked laryngeal electromyographic signals were also recorded and analyzed. All RLNs, including 87 (26%) nerves that were regarded as difficult to identify, were successfully localized and identified. The stimulation level for RLN localization was 2mA in 315 nerves (95%) and 3mA in the other 18 nerves (5%). The signal obtained from RLN localization (amplitude = 932 ±436μV) showed a clear and reliable laryngeal electromyographic response that was similar to that from direct vagus (amplitude=811±389μV) or RLN stimulation (amplitude=1132±472μV). The palsy rate was 0.6% and no permanent palsy occurred. RLN injury is rare if the nerve is definitely identified early in the thyroid operation. The conclusion of this study is that IONM is a reliable tool for early RLN localization and identification, even in complicated thyroid operations.