[Intraoperative electromyographic identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve].

BACKGROUND

Recurrent nerve palsy is the most important complication of thyroid surgery. Correct identification of the nerve during the surgical procedure is essential to avoid damage.

METHOD

We evaluated the intraoperative electromyographic identification procedure of the recurrent laryngeal nerves in 77 consecutive patients. The operations performed were 63 subtotal resections, 6 hemithyroidectomies, 4 hemithyroidectomies in combination with subtotal resection of the opposite side and 4 thyroidectomies.

RESULTS

Identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by electrophysiologic nerve stimulation was successful in 97.4%. Recurrent nerve palsy was not seen in postoperative laryngoscopic control.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative electromyography improves the identification rate of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and allows electrophysiologic verification of nerve function as a result of injury to the thyroid.