USE OF A DISPOSABLE ELECTRODE FOR RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE MONITORING

Our experience with a non-invasive, disposable electrode for intra-ope rative identification and monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is described. The electrode system, while simply attached to the endot racheal tube, acts as a laryngeal surface electrode and detects electr omyographic activity of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles when the recur rent laryngeal nerve is stimulated. We have successfully used this ele ctrode to monitor 19 recurrent laryngeal nerves in 15 patients who hav e undergone partial or total thyroidectomy. We feel that this device c an be useful particularly in cases of re-exploration and malignancies of the thyroid gland.