甲状腺外科专业化的临床资料分析

目的 评价耳鼻咽喉头颈外科医师手术治疗甲状腺良性疾病的结果。方法回顾性分析北京朝阳医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科2001年1月-2004年4月手术治疗496例甲状腺良性疾病的方式、术后并发症的发生、手术耗时、颈部切口长度、住院时间和术后复发的情况。结果甲状腺一侧腺叶加对侧腺叶部分切除314例，甲状腺一侧腺叶加峡部切除76例，甲状腺双侧腺叶次全切除29例，单纯甲状腺峡部切除3例，甲状腺全切除46例，颈部低位领式切口入路切除胸骨后结节性甲状腺肿28例。术后一侧喉返神经损伤发生率为0．2％(1／496)，无双侧喉返神经损伤。术后暂时性低钙血症发生率为1．8％(9／496)，无永久性低钙血症。术后出血发生率为0．6％(3／496)，无切口感染。手术耗时平均为66min，颈部切口长度平均为5．2cm，住院时间平均为6．3d。术后复发率0．2％(1／496)。结论受过严格头颈外科培训的耳鼻咽喉科医师行甲状腺良性疾病手术可降低喉返神经损伤的发生。     

甲状腺外科无喉返神经损伤的可能性

目的探讨甲状腺外科手术喉返神经(recurrenlaryngealnerve,RLN)零损伤的可能性。方法回顾性分析我科2001年3月～2005年3月659例甲状腺疾病的手术方式、术后RLN损伤、甲状旁腺功能低下、术后出血和术后复发等并发症的发生。术中常规解剖RLN,保护并勿过度解剖甲状旁腺及其供应的血管。结果甲状腺一侧腺叶加对侧腺叶部分切除376例、甲状腺一侧腺叶加峡部切除87例、甲状腺双侧腺叶次全切除76例、甲状腺全切除73例、颈部低位领式切口入路切除胸骨后结节性甲状腺肿47例。术后无一例发生RLN损伤。术后暂时性低钙血症发生率为1.67%(11/659)。无永久性低钙血症。术后出血需再手术止血和术后伤口血肿的发生率分别为0.60%(4/659)和0.45%(3/659)。甲状腺功能低下和术后复发的发生率分别为0.45%(3/659)和0.15%(1/659),无切口感染。结论甲状腺外科手术中熟悉RLN的解剖知识,常规紧贴甲状腺被膜外分离并全程解剖RLN及其分支可避免RLN的损伤。     

甲状腺疾病再手术的相关因素探讨

目的：探讨甲状腺疾病再手术的原因、手术并发症及其预防。方法：回顾性分析43例（13例良性病变，30例恶性病变）因甲状腺疾病而再手术的病例，尤其注意其手术并发症的发生，并与同期261例甲状腺恶性疾病首次手术的并发症进行比较。结果：43例均治愈，30例恶性病变的并发症（喉返神经的损伤）发生率为20％，较初次手术者高（P＜0．01）。结论：初次手术方式选择和病理因素是甲状腺疾病再手术的重要原因。甲状腺再次手术时喉返神经损伤的机会明显增加，术中解剖并保护好喉返神经是避免其损伤的关键。甲状腺再手术时的手术风险比初次手术时大，应尽可能予以避免。     

甲状腺手术喉返神经损伤危险因素及应对策略

目的探讨甲状腺手术出现喉返神经损伤的危险因素及避免损伤的方法。方法回顾性分析1902例甲状腺患者,按手术科别、性别、麻醉方法、病变性质、术中是否常规解剖喉返神经、手术次数及手术范围分组,观察喉返神经损伤率,进行单因素分析及多因素回归分析。结果喉返神经总损伤率为1.84%。单因素分析显示,在甲状腺恶性病变患者、多次手术及甲状腺广泛性手术中喉返神经损伤率升高有统计学意义(χ2分别为1.096、1.893、1.467,P<0.05)。在甲状腺广泛性手术中,术中显露喉返神经可有效降低喉返神经损伤率(χ2=1.758,P<0.05);而在保守性手术中,术中是否显露喉返神经,喉返神经损伤率的差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.638,P>0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,多次手术及甲状腺广泛性手术是喉返神经损伤的重要危险因素。结论对于病变范围较小的甲状腺良性肿瘤,术中不显露喉返神经、保留部分甲状腺背侧组织是安全可靠的。而对于广泛性甲状腺切除手术,术中应常规解剖喉返神经。     

甲状腺肿瘤外科手术2228例临床分析

目的探讨甲状腺肿瘤外科治疗效果，总结甲状腺肿瘤的诊疗经验。方法回顾性分析1992年-2004年间2228例甲状腺肿瘤(2072例甲状腺良性肿瘤，156例甲状腺癌)的临床资料及随访结果。结果2072例甲状腺良性肿瘤中，术后喉返神经损伤4例，永久性喉返神经损伤率是0．1％，暂时性喉返神经损伤率为0．1％；55例复发行二次手术，复发率为2．6％。术后无甲状旁腺功能低下和出血。甲状腺癌156例，8例复发，3例死亡，直接法统计5年生存率为95．50k，(64／67)，Kaplan-Meier法统计5年生存率为98．0％。60例微小癌中无1例复发或转移，5年生存率为100．0％。156例甲状腺癌中1例喉返神经损伤，发生率为0．6％，术后无出血和甲状旁腺功能低下。结论遵循甲状腺肿瘤正确外科治疗原则能有效降低甲状腺疾病患者手术并发症、复发率等，并改善预后。     

甲状腺良性病变手术预防喉返神经损伤的方法

目的 探讨甲状腺良性病变手术喉返神经显露的方法.方法 回顾分析2243例甲状腺良性病变手术资料,对甲状腺良性病变不同病变位置、不同手术方法与喉返神经损伤的关系进行比较分析.结果 本组共发生喉返神经损伤68例(3.0%).其中显露喉返神经手术中,背侧组喉返神经损伤率为1.0%(1/97),位于其他部位组,无喉返神经损伤.喉返神经区域保护法手术中,背侧组喉返神经损伤率为7.6%(65/853),病变位于甲状腺其他部位组喉返神经损伤率为0.17%(2/1195).结论 甲状腺良性病变手术,对于病变位于背侧的结节或腺瘤、甲状腺再次手术以及术中发生声音改变者,应常规显露喉返神经,其他情况则采用喉返神经区域保护法.显露方法可采用侧方、上方及下方三种途径.     

甲状腺手术中喉返神经显露的意义

目的阐明甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经（recurrent laryngeal nerve,RLN）的优点。方法在452例不同类型的甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经,手术前后喉镜检查声带运动情况。结果共显露喉返神经748根,暂时性喉返神经损伤14例（占1．88％）,永久性损伤2例（占0．27％）。结论甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经可有效防止其损伤并有利于手术疗效。     

喉返神经三分段在甲状腺被膜解剖技术中的应用

目的探讨在甲状腺被膜解剖术中,采用喉返神经(recurrent laryngeal nerve,RLN)三分段的方法对降低RLN损伤的意义。方法 112例良性甲状腺疾病患者采用被膜解剖技术施行单侧腺叶切除术,经中间入路,在RLN三分段的不同部位采用相应的方法进行解剖操作。结果 112例单侧甲状腺腺叶切除后检查甲状腺后方假被膜完整109例(97.3%),在Berry韧带平面透过甲状腺后方假被膜可见到RLN走行91例(81.2%),无神经裸露病例,术后无1例声音嘶哑,随访3个月无声音改变病例。结论良性甲状腺疾病患者采用被膜解剖技术行腺叶切除,术者对RLN三分段的认识有助于降低神经损伤的风险。     

Total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The use of total thyroidectomy in thyroid cancer treatment is not unanimous, and it is even more controversial when this procedure is advocated for benign diseases. On the other hand, the complication risk may have an increase up to 20 times in repeat operations for recurrence. The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of total thyroidectomy in benign diseases, multinodular goiter, and Graves disease to justify the authors' preference. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of use of total thyroidectomy in benign diseases. METHODS: Retrospective study of 1789 patients who underwent thyroidectomies from June 1990 to December 2000. Indication, extension of thyroidectomy, cancer incidence, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Total thyroidectomy was performed in 81.19% of 456 patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter, 93.93% of 33 with toxic multinodular goiter, 93.93% of 66 with recurrent multinodular goiter, and 49.18% of 122 with Graves disease. Thyroid cancer was found in 16.62%, 9.09%, 3.03% and 5.73% of patients, respectively. Transitory and permanent hypoparathyroidism, hematoma requiring surgical intervention, and transitory and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 12.27%, 1.61%, 0.26%, 1.88%, and 0.35% of the patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, respectively. Permanent complications of total thyroidectomy for nontoxic multinodular goiter and Graves disease were similar to nontotal thyroidectomy. Use of total thyroidectomy for nontoxic multinodular goiter increased from 53.33% of the patient to 81.19%, on average, with a concomitant increase of cancer diagnosis from 11.11% to 16,62%. The authors performed total thyroidectomy for all patients with Graves disease. CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice for multinodular goiter and thyroiditis, when there is bilateral gland involvement posterior to middle thyroid veins, and for Graves disease because it decreases the likelihood of future repeat operations for recurrent disease and thus the associated risks, when performed safely.     

Advantages of recurrent laryngeal nerve identification in thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy and the importance of preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopic examination in more than 1000 nerves at risk.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) is a major obstacle in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Therefore, methods that reduce the number of temporary and, especially, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies are of great interest. One promising way to ensure the integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is to identify the nerve always. The first question raised in the present study was whether RLN preparation reduces the number of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies or whether it introduces additional risks. Second, from former cases we know that the absence of postoperative hoarseness does not exclude RLNP, nor does postoperative hoarseness exclusively imply RLNP. Besides, misdiagnosis is not uncommon. Therefore, preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopic examination was given attention. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were investigated 1 to 7 days before and 3 to 7 days after surgery. When an RLNP was identified, patients were followed up in a 2-week rhythm the first few times and every 6 to 8 weeks thereafter until RLNP resolved or it was considered permanent after 2 years. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 608 surgical patients with 1080 nerves at risk. Because different diseases might have different rates of postoperative RLNP, we analyzed benign thyroid disease (680 nerves at risk), thyroid malignoma (321 nerves at risk), and hyperparathyroidism (79 nerves at risk) separately. Patients undergoing primary surgery (no prior thyroid surgery) and secondary interventions (there were one or more thyroid operations before this intervention) were evaluated separately. RESULTS: We found 3.4%, 7.2%, and 2.5% of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies per nerve in the benign thyroid disease, thyroid malignoma, and hyperparathyroidism groups, respectively. The prevalence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies in these groups was 0.3%, 1.2%, and 0%, respectively. Conforming with other studies, the total number of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies (temporary and permanent) was not increased compared with cases with no RLN preparation, whereas the number of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies was markedly reduced. An RLN was always identifiable. Astonishingly, the restitution of an RLNP was up to 2 years in duration; however, most restitutions occurred within the first 6 months. Thirty cases of hoarseness appeared or were intensified after surgery and were not caused by RLNP. Eleven cases of postoperative RLNP had no detectable hoarseness. CONCLUSIONS: Besides indirect laryngoscopy, videostroboscopy should be performed in all cases with no evident bilateral normal laryngeal function or normal voice. Otherwise, the incidence of false-positive or false-negative diagnosis of RLNP is likely to be increased.     

Neuromonitoring in thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis of effectiveness from randomized controlled trials

Neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery has been employed to make nerve identification easier and decrease the rates of laryngeal nerve injuries. Several individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, which did not identify statistical differences in the rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) injuries. The objective of this report is to perform meta-analysis of the combined results of individual studies to measure the frequency of RLN and EBSLN injuries in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with routine neuromonitoring in comparison with common practice of search and identification. RCTs comparing routine neuromonitoring versus no use in patients who underwent elective partial or total thyroidectomy were evaluated. Outcomes measured were temporary and definitive palsy of the RLN and EBSLN. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using random effects model. GRADE was used to classify quality of evidence. Six studies with 1,602 patients and 3,064 nerves at risk were identified. Methodological quality assessment showed high risk of bias in most items. Funnel plot did not reveal publication bias. The risk difference for temporary RLN palsy, definitive RLN palsy, temporary EBSLN palsy, and definitive EBSLN palsy were ?2 % (95 % confidence interval ?5.1 to 1); 0 % (?1 to 1); ?9 % (?15 to ?2) and ?1 % (?4 to 2), respectively. Quality was rated low or very low in most outcomes due to methodological flaws. Meta-analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the risk of temporary or definitive RLN injury and definitive EBSLN injury with the use of neuromonitoring. The neuromonitoring group had a statistically significant decrease in the risk of temporary EBSLN injury.     

Complications following thyroid surgery

The incidence of severe complications following thyroid gland surgery is a major reason to recommend total thyroidectomy or a less radical procedure in treating thyroid gland diseases. A retrospective study on 335 thyroidectomies was performed to assess the incidence of postoperative complications. Rates for hypocalcemia were based on patients undergoing bilateral procedures (n = 185) and on nerves at risk for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (n = 513). Permanent hypocalcemia (8%) and unilateral laryngeal nerve injury (2.3%) were the major complications, with 0.8% having fatal complications. The achievement of long-term normal serum calcium levels has been the most frequent complication. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury had a significant relationship with secondary procedures, histologic findings, and no nerve identification during surgery. In our series, major complications can be blamed on technical pitfalls, even in the hands of experienced surgeons.     

甲状腺手术喉返神经解剖198例报告

目的：术中观察甲状腺患者的喉返神经和甲状腺下动脉的解剖及其毗邻关系,为指导临床手术操作提供理论依据。方法：对198例甲状腺疾病需行腺叶或全甲状腺切除的患者,术中解剖喉返神经201侧,记录喉返神经与甲状腺下动脉的关系,根据术中喉返神经是否容易损伤将其分为“安全型”和“危险型”两大类。结果：117侧右侧喉返神经与甲状腺下动脉的关系中“安全型”和“危险型”分别为84．6%(99／117)和15．4%(18／117);82侧左侧的“安全型”和“危险型”分别为92．7％(76／82)和7．3%(6／82)。196例共199侧喉返神经由胸腔或右锁骨下动脉返回在甲状腺下及水平后方进入气管食管沟内,沿该沟上行,于环状软骨与甲状软骨下角之间入喉。有2例术中证实为“喉不返神经”,直接自迷走神经水平发出入喉。结论：右侧喉返神经与甲状腺下动脉的关系中“危险型”的发生率高于左侧,术中应特别注意以防损伤喉返神经。     

喉返神经减压术

目的探讨喉返神经减压治疗因甲状腺手术和甲状腺肿物压迫所致喉返神经功能障碍的疗效.方法2002年10月-2005年6月间,行喉返神经减压术治疗单侧喉返神经麻痹9例,声门闭合不全4例.包括甲状腺良性肿物切除术后喉返神经麻痹7例,均为普通外科术后.其中6例神经缝扎,1例神经瘢痕粘连,同时对其中2例行Ⅰ型甲状软骨成形术;甲状腺腺瘤1例和结节性甲状腺肿并喉返神经麻痹1例,均行甲状腺肿物切除喉返神经减压.声门闭合不全的4例中,结节性甲状腺肿3例、桥本甲状腺炎1例分别行甲状腺肿物切除或腺叶部分切除,电子喉镜观察手术前、后声带动度变化,评价手术效果.结果5例神经被结扎和1例神经粘连者于3个月内行减压术,术后1周～3个月声带动度恢复,发声满意;1例神经被结扎于术后4个月行减压术者,随访1年声带动度未见恢复.甲状腺腺瘤和结节性甲状腺肿并喉返神经麻痹患者减压术后3个月内声带动度完全恢复,声门闭合不全并结节性甲状腺肿和桥本甲状腺炎者,术后1周内声门缝隙消失、声嘶消失.结论对于因甲状腺手术所致的喉返神经麻痹,应尽快行喉返神经探查和减压术;声音嘶哑较严重者,可考虑同时行Ⅰ型甲状软骨成形术,以短时间内改善患者发声状况,提高患者生活质量;对于甲状腺肿物合并喉返神经麻痹或声门闭合不良者,应积极行手术探查,行喉返神经减压.     

经胸乳入路的内镜甲状腺切除术500例

目的探讨经胸乳入路内镜甲状腺手术的技术方法、安全性和优缺点。方法2002年3月至2006年12月行胸乳入路内镜甲状腺切除术500例，其中原发性甲状腺机能亢进（简称甲亢）76例、甲状腺腺瘤111例、结节性甲状腺肿291例（10例有1～2次开放手术史）和甲状腺癌22例。结果成功完成手术492例，手术时间40～270min（平均74．5min）。其中行甲状腺肿瘤切除50例，甲状腺单叶次全切除214例，双叶次全切除212例（含原发性甲亢手术治疗73例）。22例甲状腺癌中，单叶腺体次全切除4例，根治性切除16例，另2例转开放手术。甲状腺肿块长径最大8．0em。术中失血3～250ml（平均5．5m1），未输血。术后2～3d拔除引流管。术后住院时间3～8d（平均4．2d），住院费用为7600～13500元（平均10510元），本院同期开放甲状腺手术患者住院费用平均为5700元，两者差异比较有统计学意义（t=13．755，P〈0．05）。术后并发症方面，术后手术通道出血3例，皮肤灼伤1例，切口感染2例，皮肤淤血3例，皮下积液6例，1例出现甲亢危象，暂时性喉返神经麻痹2例，无神经或甲状旁腺永久性损伤等严重并发症，并发症发生率为3．6％（18／492）。术后随访，失访42例，458例随访3～57个月（中位时间27个月），3例结节性甲状腺肿术后复发小结节，1例原发性甲亢术后复发。患者均对手术的美容效果满意。8例因为出血、腺体过大、甲状腺癌侵犯气管等原因中转为开放手术。22例甲状腺癌目前仍生存，1例甲状腺乳头状癌术后半年出现同侧颈淋巴转移，行开放颈清扫术后已无瘤生存至今3年，并继续随访。结论经胸乳入路内镜甲状腺切除术是一种安全而可行的手术方法，手术视野清晰，显露神经清楚，且具有显著的美容效果。此外，该方法仍有一定的并发症发生率，且费用较开放手术高。因此，本方法有待进一步改进。     

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after thyroid cancer surgery: a laryngological and surgical problem

Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis is one of the most frequent complications after thyroid surgery due to goiter and cancers. A higher probability of this complication occurs after secondary procedure of the thyroid and in malignant cases. The symptoms may differ and depend on many factors. Generally, patients need careful ENT and surgical care including diagnosis and treatment. Four hundred and sixty-six patients who underwent thyroid operation due to cancer were analyzed. The group was composed of 227 papillary carcinoma, 87 follicular carcinoma, 51 medullary carcinoma, and 101 anaplastic carcinoma. Two hundred and fifty-three total thyroidectomies, 82 lobectomies and subtotal second lobe operations, 91 subtotal thyroidectomies, and 40 biopsies (wedge resections) were performed. In all 426 total and subtotal thyroidectomies an attempt to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerves was carried out. For 360 patients (77%) the surgical procedure was primary and for 106 patients (23%) the operation was secondary. Preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopic examinations were performed in all patients. Every patient with palsy underwent special laryngological procedures if needed (tracheotomy, phoniatric rehabilitation, conservative treatment and surgery in lack of improvement). The rate of postoperative vocal cord paralysis was 4.7%. The permanent palsy rate was 3.5%. In 1.2% recovery was observed. Of the 4.7% palsy rate, 3.2% concerned unilateral palsy and 1.5% bilateral pathology. Using the χ² test, no significant differences between the rate of unilateral and bilateral paralysis and between temporary and permanent paralysis were found. On the basis of our material and results, identification the recurrent laryngeal nerves should be mandatory at surgery, thereby avoiding paralysis. Special laryngological procedures and surgical care from the beginning of paralysis are necessary for patients with vocal cord palsy. It allows to diagnose and treat patients with quite good results. Received: 30 May 2000 / Accepted: 21 May 2001     

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in benign thyroid disease: can surgery make a difference?

The association between a pre-operative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and thyroid disease is usually suggestive of locally advanced malignant thyroid disease by invasion of the nerve. However, the risk of benign thyroid disease causing paralysis to the nerve is extremely rare and has been scarcely reported. The aims of this paper are to analyse the experience of patients presenting with RLN palsy and benign multinodular goitre (MNG), evaluate the mechanisms of pathogenesis and determine if thyroid surgery may be of benefit for these patients. A retrospective review was conducted of five patients presenting to the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Hospital between 2000 and 2009. All patients were evaluated with fibre-optic laryngoscopy, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and computerised tomography. All patients underwent total or completion thyroidectomy and a handheld nerve stimulator (Xomed-Medtronics Vari-Stim III^®) was used at the end of the procedure to check the integrity of the RLN. Post-operatively all patients were followed up for at least 12 months with fibre-optic laryngoscopy. Five females with an age range between 32 and 81 years presented with RLN palsy and benign MNG. All patients underwent total or completion thyroidectomies with preservation of the affected nerves. Two patients recovered the function of the nerves. All patients were confirmed to have benign multinodular goitres on histological analysis. RLN palsy in the presence of benign disease is rare. Patients should be carefully evaluated to confirm the palsy and exclude malignant disease prior to surgery. Surgery should be undertaken to remove the MNG, confirm the diagnosis and preserve the affected nerve. There is a significant chance that some of these patients will recover the function of the nerve.     

Risk factors for permanent laryngeal nerve paralysis in patients with thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the incidence of and risk factors for permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis for patients with thyroid malignancy. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary oncology referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: Records of 290 consecutive patients treated between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed. All patients who have had one or more operations. Patients with preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and patients who underwent thyroidectomy in conjunction with laryngectomy were excluded. The incidence of postoperative permanent cord palsy was calculated in relation to the number of patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, gender, thyroid functions, tumour localisations and size, multicentricity, thyroid capsule invasion, extrathyroidal soft tissue invasion, differentiation, histological type, co-existence of lymphocytic thyroiditis, total number of dissected and metastatic nodes, type of surgery, the place of surgery and number of operations were the risk factors investigated for permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis developed in 27 (9%) of 290 patients with thyroid carcinoma. Transient and permanent paralysis rates in total or subtotal thyroidectomy, completion thyroidectomy and neck dissection groups were 5/3%, 7/3% and 24/17% respectively. Cox regression analysis identified the type of surgery [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-4.0, P = 0.01], extrathyroidal soft tissue invasion (RR = 5.7, 95% CI = 2.0-15.7, P = 0.001) and number of metastatic nodes (RR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5 P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The factors related with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis post-thyroid carcinoma surgery are linked to special features of the tumour and to the type of surgery.     

Thyroid surgery (356 cases): risks and complications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risks and complication rate of thyroid surgery. The authors present a retrospective study of 356 patients surgically treated for thyroid nodules, between 1987 and 1998, at the military hospital of Tunis. The patients were categorised into 3 groups: group I: 238 solitary thyroid nodules (66.8%); group II: 92 multinodular goitres (25.8%) included 12 retrosternal goitres (3.37%) and group III: 26 cases of Basedow's disease (7.4%). Patients benefitted from unilateral surgery in 72% of cases and from bilateral surgery (total or subtotal thyroidectomy) in the remaining 28% of cases. Malignancy was found in 34 cases (9.5%). The complications observed were haemorrhage (0.56% of cases), unilateral post operative recurrent laryngeal palsy (1.12% of cases), and permanent hypoparathyroidism in 0.81% of cases. Experienced surgeons and the use of a meticulous surgical technique can reduce the incidence of post operative complications in thyroid surgery.     

Incidence of vocal cord paralysis with and without recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of postoperative vocal cord paresis or paralysis in a cohort of patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without continuous recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring by a single senior surgeon. We hypothesize that continuous RLN monitoring reduces the rate of nerve injury during thyroidectomy DESIGN: Retrospective medical chart review. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: A total of 684 patients (1043 nerves at risk) who underwent thyroid surgery under general anesthesia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence of vocal cord paresis or paralysis in patients who underwent thyroid surgery with continuous RLN monitoring vs those undergoing surgery without continuous RLN monitoring. RESULTS: The incidence of unexpected unilateral vocal cord paresis based on RLNs at risk was 2.09% (n = 14) in the monitored group and 2.96% (n = 11) in the unmonitored group. This difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of unexpected complete unilateral vocal cord paralysis was 1.6% in each group. Two of the 5 paralyses in the unmonitored group and 7 of the 11 paralyses in the monitored group had complete resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of the RLN does not appear to reduce the incidence of postoperative temporary or permanent complete vocal cord paralysis. There appeared to be a slightly lower rate of postoperative paresis with RLN monitoring, but this difference was not statistically significant.