A case of intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery for recurrent thyroid cancer

Lee, Seungho; Kim, Su jin

doi:2023.3.1.51

J Neuromonit Neurophysiol > Volume 3(1); 2023 > Article

Case report

Journal of Neuromonitoring & Neurophysiology 2023;3(1):51-55.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54441/jnn.2023.3.1.51 Published online May 30, 2023.

재발성 갑상선암 수술 중 신경 모니터링 1예

이승호, 김수진

A case of intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery for recurrent thyroid cancer

Seungho Lee, Su jin Kim

Abstract

The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a critical structure that must be carefully preserved during thyroid surgery. Any injury to this nerve can result in severe complications, including hoarseness, aspiration, and respiratory difficulty. Therefore, preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery is crucial. In patients with a history of previous thyroid surgery, identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve can be more challenging. We report a case of 43-year-old man diagnosed with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer who had previously total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection and right modified radical neck dissection due to papillary thyroid cancer. Re-do operation was successfully done without nerve injury using laryngeal nerve monitoring with electromyogram tube.

Key Words: Recurrent laryngeal nerve, Recurrent thyroid cancer, Intraoperative neuromonitoring