甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经以避免喉返神经损伤的临床意义

目的探讨甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经(RLN)对预防RLN损伤的临床意义。方法回顾性分析2006年9月至2011年8月期间我院行甲状腺全切除术和次全切除术1 723例患者的临床资料,其中行显露RLN术式914例,共显露RLN 1 203条;行不显露RLN术式809例,共行1 013侧甲状腺腺叶切除手术。比较术后RLN损伤情况及术后6个月声带恢复情况。结果显露组与不显露组RLN损伤发生率分别为0.91%(11/1 203)和2.07%(21/1 013),2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后随访6个月,显露组与不显露组分别有0例和13例(61.9%,13/21)永久性RLN损伤,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论在甲状腺全切除和次全切除术中,显露并注意保护RLN能最大程度地避免RLN损伤,尤其是永久性RLN损伤。     

喉返神经喉外分支的临床意义(附13例报告)

目的：了解喉返神经喉外分支的解剖特点发病情况和术中喉返神经损伤的原因。方法：1991年至2001年共收治行甲状腺叶切除术的病人145例，术中常规解剖暴露喉返神经。结果：本组共发现喉返神经喉外分支13例，占9％。男4例，女9例，平均年龄46岁，右侧9例，左侧4例。喉返神经喉外分支分为2支者10例，占76．9％，3支者2例，1例为4个分支。喉外分支点距环甲关节入喉处的距离多在2cm以上，有的甚至低于甲状腺下动脉平面。结论：喉返神经有时常在喉外分为2或3个分支，为避免在甲状腺切除手术时损伤喉返神经，作者认为术中常规解剖暴露出喉返神经是避免其损伤的最好方法。     

腔镜辅助锁骨下途径甲状腺手术中喉返神经的显露及保护

目的：探讨腔镜甲状腺切除术中喉返神经的暴露和保护的可行性。方法2006年10月～2013年11月对46例甲状腺肿瘤采用免注气锁骨下途径腔镜手术,经锁骨下区向上沿颈阔肌深面分离至颈部,部分横断颈前肌群,暴露甲状腺后方喉返神经,完整切除肿瘤。结果46例腔镜下完成手术,手术时间（53．5±8．7）min,出血量（20．5±10．5）ml。46例暴露颈段喉返神经,未见变异的喉不返神经。术后2例出现声音嘶哑,营养神经治疗2周后痊愈。2例术中冰冻病理检查甲状腺乳头状癌合并颈部淋巴结转移,中转行淋巴结清扫;分别随访21、44个月,无肿瘤复发。44例行甲状腺次全切除术,术后病理：32例甲状腺腺瘤,12例结节性甲状腺肿,随访时间1～84个月,平均45．6月,术后每6个月复查彩超及甲状腺功能,均无肿瘤复发及甲状腺功能低下。结论腔镜下甲状腺肿瘤切除术暴露颈段喉返神经可行、安全。     

腔镜甲状腺切除术中喉返神经的显露

目的探讨腔镜甲状腺切除术中喉返神经的显露技巧,避免因显露而造成的喉返神经医源性损伤。方法2011年4月～2012年4月,行胸乳晕人路腔镜下甲状腺切除术17例。于乳腺前皮下置入troear,注入CO2（压力6mmHg）建立操作空间,用超声刀显露喉返神经。结果17例均顺利完成喉返神经显露,其中7例行腔镜双侧甲状腺腺叶手术（6例双侧叶结节和1例甲状腺癌）,5例行一侧甲状腺叶切除术（一侧腺叶多发结节）,5例行一侧腺叶次全切除术。喉返神经主干位于甲状腺下动脉之前、之后和动脉分叉之间的比例分别为17．6％（3／17）、47．1％（8／17）和35．3％（6／17）,术后未见声音嘶哑等发生。结论尽管甲状腺下动脉与喉返神经的关系不固定,应用甲状腺囊外解剖和上翻技术,在切除腺体的同时可以显露喉返神经,减少喉返神经损伤。     

Functional Laryngeal Results after Thyroidectomy and Extensive Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Dissection without Neuromonitoring

Summary BACKGROUND: Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) is a major complication after thyroid surgery. Therefore methods are mandatory which reduce this complication. One strategy is the identification and dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in all patients as an inflexible rule. It is an ongoing discussion whether RLN neuromonitoring is helpful. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 624 surgical patients with 1076 nerves at risk (NAR) after hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy because of a benign thyroid pathology (BT). In all patients, extensive nerve dissection was performed. Electrophysiological neuromonitoring was not used. All patients were investigated both pre- and postoperatively for regular laryngeal function, using indirect laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy. RESULTS: 2.4 % temporary and 0.3 % permanent RLNPs were documented respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewing the literature, the total rates of (temporary and permanent) RLNPs are identical or lower in studies performing RLN dissection compared to those where no RLN dissection had been performed. Performing RLN dissection reduced the rate of permanent RLNPs. However, our results do not imply that neuromonitoring decreases the rate of permanent RLNP, since studies that included neuromonitoring did not reveal better data. Our observations also suggest that besides indirect laryngoscopy, videostroboscopy should be performed in all patients with no evidently normal bilateral laryngeal function and no normal voice quality. Failing this, the rate of false positive or negative identification of RLNP is likely to increase.     

腹膜后异位支气管囊肿致左肾积水1例及文献复习

目的：探讨腹膜后异位支气管囊肿的诊断及治疗.方法：回顾性分析异位支气管囊肿致左肾积水1例,用关键词支气管囊肿检索Medline及CBM数据库中相关文献,进行复习.结果：本例术前检查提示左侧肾积水,左输尿管上段狭窄,梗阻部位有实性占位.行后腹腔镜探查术,左侧输尿管被实性肿物及纤维条索压迫,予以切除并松解输尿管,病理证实为异位支气管囊肿.随访3个月,超声示左肾积水较前好转.结论：腹膜后异位支气管囊肿术前无特异性影像学检查,可行后腹腔镜探查术明确诊断及治疗并发症.     

精细被膜解剖法在甲状腺手术中预防喉返神经与甲状旁腺损伤的应用

目的：探讨甲状腺手术中应用精细被膜解剖法预防喉返神经与甲状旁腺损伤的方法和效果。方法回顾性分析2007年6月-2012年6月195例应用精细被膜解剖法行甲状腺手术的临床资料。均沿甲状腺真假被膜之间疏松间隙进行超微化解剖,贴近甲状腺真被膜进行血管离断的精细被膜解剖手术方法。结果195例手术均获成功,术中明确见到喉返神经9例。暂时性喉返神经麻痹4例（2．1％）,永久性麻痹1例（0．5％）,其余均无永久性喉返神经、喉上神经损伤及永久性甲状旁腺功能减退。结论运用精细被膜解剖法不仅可以有效避免喉上神经及喉返神经损伤,还可以原位保留甲状旁腺及其滋养血管。     

Gastric Bronchogenic Cyst Histologically Diagnosed After Laparoscopic Excision: Report of a Case

Abdominal computed tomography of a 71-year-old man revealed a 3-cm mass in gastric cardia. Although the mass was widely attached to the gastric wall, no clear contrast enhancement was observed. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed the mass to have homogenous high intensity on T2W1 images and isointensity on T1W1 images. On diffusion-weighted imaging, no high intensity was observed. However, the mass had a smooth surface and was widely attached to the gastric wall, consistent with computed tomography findings. A gastric submucosal tumor was suspected. Laparoscopic tumor resection was performed. Histopathologic diagnosis of the mass was a bronchogenic cyst derived from the respiratory primordium originating in the foregut of the primitive intestine. Such cysts are mostly found in the mediastinum or thoracic cavity; their occurrence on the gastric wall is extremely rare. Despite this, we think that bronchogenic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal unilocular cystic diseases.     

甲状腺手术中超声刀应用与喉返神经保护

目的:探讨开放性甲状腺疾病手术中超声刀的应用与喉返神经保护.方法:回顾性分析187例开放性甲状腺良性疾病手术患者的临床资料,据治疗方式分为超声刀组和传统电刀组,比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、术后住时间及声嘶等并发症发生率.结果:超声刀组手术时间、术中出血量均显著少传统电刀组(P<0.05),术后并发症发生率降低(P<0.05),术后住时间及术后引流量两组间无明显差异(P>0.05).结论:开放性甲状腺手术中,合理使用超声刀及有限度显露喉返神经可以缩短手术时间,减少术中出血,减少术后并发症发生率.     

Neurilemoma Originating from the Left Recurrent Nerve in the Superior Mediastinum: Report of a Case

We report a rare case of neurilemoma originating from the left recurrent nerve in the superior mediastinum.     

A Newly Identified Variation at the Entry of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve into the Larynx

ABSTRACT

Objectives: We aimed to highlight a new anatomical variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and to emphasize its implications for thyroid surgery. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in a group of 3,078 consecutive thyroidectomies from 1998 to 2008. Total, near-total, subtotal, and partial thyroidectomy were performed for various thyroid diseases. The RLN was routinely identified and exposed in its entire course until the entry into the larynx. The postoperative complications of patients with different variations were compared. Results: 4,241 RLNs were successfully identified in all patients unilaterally or bilaterally. In addition to extralaryngeal branching and nonrecurrent laryngeal nerves, an unreported variation was identified in 44 RLNs (1.04%) at their entries into the larynx. The variation happened at the trunk or the branches of the RLN entering the larynx far from the posterior of cricothyroid joint, and the entry was higher than the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage and the arch of the cricoid. The median distance from the entry to the posterior of cricothyroid joint was more than 5 mm. As the trunk or the branches had to travel along the lateral edge of the upper 1/3 of the thyroid before entering the larynx, the incidence of RLN palsy was higher than that in extralaryngeal branching variations (p < .05). Conclusion: This newly discovered variation of the RLN is more vulnerable to injury and should be brought to the attention of surgeons.     

Cervico-Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cyst Occurring in the Prenatal Period: Report of a Case

We experienced a case of cervico-mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in which a cervical cystic mass was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. On prenatal ultrasound, a unilocular, well-defined and hypoechoic mass was detected in the fetal neck. The baby was born by a normal vaginal delivery at 40 weeks of gestation, and had no respiratory distress. Radiological investigations demonstrated a cyst in the cervico-mediastinal region, which displaced the trachea to the left. At the age of 32 days, an elective resection was easily performed through a right inferior collar incision after first aspirating the contents of the cyst. Prenatal sonography showing abnormal findings is effective for identifying cysts in the perinatal period and allows for the timely resection of such cysts before respiratory distress occurs. Received: October 22, 1999 / Accepted: May 30, 2000     

显露喉返神经在甲状腺切除术中的临床意义

目的探讨甲状腺手术中显露喉返神经对防止喉返神经损伤的价值。方法回顾性分析2 481例甲状腺手术患者的临床资料,其中术中显露喉返神经组1 425例和非显露喉返神经组1 056例,比较两组间并发喉返神经损伤的几率。结果显露喉返神经组喉返神经暂时性损伤31例,损伤率为2.18%,无永久损伤病例;非显露喉返神经组喉返神经损伤44例,损伤率为4.17%,其中暂时损伤39例,永久损伤为5例。两组喉返神经损伤率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论甲状腺手术术中显露喉返神经对保护喉返神经是安全和有效的,对预防或避免医源性喉返神经损伤有重要意义。     

Neuromonitoring of the Recurrent Nerve: Validation and Merits

Summary BACKGROUND: Neuromonitoring is being advocated in thyroid surgery to aid in the identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and to predict the postoperative vocal cord function. Here we documented and analyzed electromyographic responses to investigate the reliability of transligamental neuromonitoring under surgical conditions. METHODS: In a prospective study on 12 nerves at risk, the electromyogram was recorded with the computerized Neurosign100^® system to (i) estimate the nerve conduction velocity, (ii) to compare the magnitude of the response after vagal and recurrent nerve stimulation and (iii) to document the effects of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. RESULTS: The nerve conduction velocity was estimated at 45 m/s. Half-maximum and near-maximum responses were elicited by 0.17 and 1 mA, respectively. The magnitude of the electrical field response (but not the conduction velocity) depended on the extent of neuromuscular blockade thus identifying a possible confounding intraoperative variable. The field response after contralateral stimulation was about 10-fold smaller than after ipsilateral stimulation. Sole use of the neuromonitoring electrode allowed for identification of the recurrent nerve in 85 % of the trials. CONCLUSIONS: The electrophysiological and pharmacological criteria prove that neuromonitoring reliably measures the electrical response of the inner laryngeal muscles to nerve stimulation. There are, however, many variables (including electrode placement, depth of anaesthesia, extent of neuromuscular blockade) that have to be taken into account. These preclude a quantitative interpretation under surgical conditions. Thus, neuromonitoring only provides qualitative information on nerve function. A review of the literature shows that this conclusion is supported by the statistical analysis of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for postoperative palsy; this may, in part, also be due to the fact that the recording electrode registers the field response which is only a surrogate parameter for vocal cord mobility.     

甲状腺手术喉返神经与甲状旁腺的识别与保护183例分析

目的:探讨甲状腺手术中识别与保护喉返神经与甲状旁腺的技术改进方法及其临床效果.方法:回顾性总结分析183例甲状腺手术病例,以暴露喉返神经方法分组:对照组81例,于甲状腺下动脉下方解剖暴露喉返神经;治疗组102例,以寻找Zuckerkandl结节为主要途径暴露喉返神经.比较两组病人术后喉返神经的损伤、甲状旁腺功能及并发症等方面情况.结果:治疗组102例均临床治愈,术后并发暂时声嘶1(0.9%)例.2例(1.9%)甲状腺次全切除术加颈廓清扫术后出现暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下,32例(31.3%)术后2 d内血钙水平较术前一过性降低.对照组81例有6例(7.4%)损伤喉返神经,4例(4.9%)出现甲状旁腺功能低下.两组差异有统计学意义.结论:甲状腺手术技巧的一系列改进,尤其是对喉返神经和甲状旁腺的识别和保护,可控制术中出血量,减少术后并发症,促进术后康复.     

Unilateral Oculomotor Nerve Palsy as an Initial Presentation of Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Case Report

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy is well known as a symptom of microvascular infarction and intracranial aneurysm, but unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as an initial manifestation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare clinical condition. We report a rare case of an 84-year-old woman with bilateral CSDH who presented with unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as the initial symptom. The patient, who had a medical history of minor head injury 3 weeks prior, presented with left ptosis, diplopia, and vomiting. She had taken an antiplatelet drug for lacunar cerebral infarction. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed bilateral CSDH with a slight midline shift to the left side. She underwent an urgent evacuation through bilateral frontal burr holes. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) after evacuation revealed no intracranial aneurysms, but constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) ran much more anteriorly and inferiorly compared with the right PCA and the left oculomotor nerve passed very closely between the left PCA and the left superior cerebellar artery (SCA). There is the possibility that the strong compression to the left uncus, the left PCA, and the left SCA due to the bilateral CSDH resulted in left oculomotor nerve palsy with an initial manifestation without unconsciousness. Unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy as an initial presentation caused by bilateral CSDH without unconsciousness is a rare clinical condition, but this situation is very important as a differential diagnosis of unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.     

A Closer Look at the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Focusing on Branches & Diameters: A Prospective Cohort Study

Aim: We aimed to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) highlighting on its diameter and branching pattern. Materials and Methods: We prospectively collected 215 patients (178 female, 37 male) who underwent thyroid/parathyroid surgery during over a 2-year period. Apart from demographic features and surgical data, diameter of RLNs, and their branches and as well as branching distance (distance between the point of bifurcation and the laryngeal entry of RLN) were recorded. Results: In 215 patients, 378 RLNs were assessed and 42% (n = 159) bifurcated RLNs were observed. The bifurcation rate was similar on the right and left side(s) of the neck (40% and 44%, respectively; p = 0.47). In those, who underwent bilateral exploration, in the case of bifurcation on the first side of the neck, the possibility of contralateral bifurcation was approximately 50%, whereas this rate was found to be only 30% in those with nonbranching RLNs. Mean branching distance was 18 ± 9 mm, and it was similar on the right and left sides (17 and 19 mm, respectively). Approximately 80% of bifurcations were observed within 5–24 mm of the RLN. Mean diameter of the anterior branches was found to be significantly larger compared to posterior branches (1.09 ± 0.35 and 0.82 ± 0.36 mm, respectively; p < 0.01).Conclusions: There is great variability in RLN branching. We observed that approximately two out of three bifurcations were unilateral and anterior branches were thicker compared to posterior branches. These findings should be taken into consideration to avoid any damage to the RLN during thyroid and parathyroid surgery.     

Bilateral Sciatic Nerve Palsy following a Bariatic Operation

Iatrogenic nerve injuries have been rarely reported following laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. These can be serious complications with the potential for long-term disability.We present a rare case of bilateral sciatic nerve palsy following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on a super-super-obese male with BMI 78.04 kg/m². The procedure was completed laparoscopically in 7 hours duration, and in spite of adequate precautions, he developed bilateral sciatic nerve palsy. Nerve conduction studies showed denervation of L5/S1 confirming the diagnosis. The patient showed gradual recovery with physiotherapy, and at 18 months follow-up he was mobilizing without any walking aids, with BMI 47.34 kg/m². Compressive nerve injuries following prolonged laparoscopic operations should be included in the list of procedural complications, especially in morbidly obese patients where the risk is significantly higher.