[Prevention of complications of thyroid and parathyroid surgery]

The knowledge of parathyroid and thyroid anatomy helps a surgeon to localize important details and lessen complications, especially laryngeal palsy and hypoparathyroidism. The ligament of Berry and tuberculum Zuckerkandl cover the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the upper part of the thyroid lobes. The recurrent laryngeal nerve or its branches are exposed during the mobilization of these structures during total thyreoidectomy. The upper parathyroid gland can be found on the upper part of the tuberculum Zuckerkandl behind the recurrent laryngeal nerve, whereas the lower parathyroid gland can be found in front of the nerve on the under surface of the thyroid lobe or in the thymus below. The tertiary branches of blood vessels are cut preserving the function of the parathyroid glands. If the parathyroid has lost its blood circulation, it is made into pieces and transplanted into the pockets of sternocleidomastoideus muscle. Exposing the recurrent laryngeal nerve during operation seems to decrease permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The role of neuromonitoring is during parathyroid and thyroid surgery still controversial.