Identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by intraoperative neuromonitoring

Citation
M. Kunath et al., Identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by intraoperative neuromonitoring, ZBL CHIR, 124(7), 1999, pp. 641-645
Citations number
28
Categorie Soggetti
Surgery
Journal title
ZENTRALBLATT FUR CHIRURGIE
ISSN journal
0044409X → ACNP
Volume
124
Issue
7
Year of publication
1999
Pages
641 - 645
Database
ISI
SICI code
0044-409X(1999)124:7<641:IOTRLN>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
301 patients underwent thyroid surgery in 1998 by using the intraoperative neuromonitoring. The documentation was done prospectively. The system of in traoperative neuromonitoring consists of a stimulation circuit and an elect romyographic record. We placed the deriving electrode transligamentally thr ough the cricothyroid membrane. By relaxometry we investigated the influenc e of the relaxation level on the electromyographic record of the vocal musc le. Using a standardized operative technique we found a side-related rate o f primary palsy of 2.3 % (n = 13), from which 61.5 % (n = 8) showed to be o nly temporary during a postoperative follow-up period. The intraoperative n euromonitoring with the purpose of identification of the recurrent laryngea l nerve is a safe and reliable method.