WAYS OF AVOIDING INJURY TO THE RECURRENT NERVE IN THYROIDECTOMY

Despite utmost accuracy of the operator, it is not always possible to completely eliminate the risk of temporary or permanent vocal-cord par alysis caused by thyroidectomy. It is demonstrated here how paralysis of the recurrent nerve can be reduced to a minimum. In a retrospective study of 13 010 patients with thyroidectomy between 1.1.83 and 31.12. 94, risk factors for recurrent nerve injury were examined. The choice of operative procedure during primary operation seems to be of importa nce. As far as the individual basic disease is concerned, the frequenc y of permanent and temporary damage is different according to the exte nt of resection. Altogether, permanent paralysis of the recurrent nerv e was diagnosed in 2.2% of patients.