[Thyroidectomy using the intra-operative neuromonitoring and the surgeon's confidence].

AIM

Reporting our experience with NIM-response 2.0 and 3.0 system in a series of 127 thyroidectomies.

MATERIALS OF STUDY

127 patients were operated at the "Magna Graecia" University (Catanzaro) from 2009 September to 2010 December, using the technique of IntraOperative NeuroMonitoring (IONM). For each patient the surgeon charge filled in a "questionnaire" assessing his/her compliance with the apparatus.

RESULTS

We report 0.8% permanent and 0.4% transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. All surgeons have been fully satisfied from IONM technique.

DISCUSSION

A recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion may occur in patients operated on total thyroidectomy between 5-8% for transient palsies and 1-3% for the permanent ones. The use of IONM seems to contribute to a reduction of transient paralysis, even if this method is still not widely accepted Nevertheless the compliance of the surgeons with IONM seems to develop very highly.

CONCLUSIONS

NIM-response is helpful in protecting recurrent laryngeal nerve function. Advantages were observed in reduction of postoperative dysphonia and in improving the surgeon's confidence in performing a total thyroidectomy.