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.