[Experience of the laryngeal recurrent nerve dissection in difficult thyroid surgery]

To explore the methods of the larygeal recurrent nerve dissection in different and difficult thyroid surgery, so as to minimize damage and improve the safety of the operation.

The process and methods in different laryngeal recurrent nerve dissection about 52 hospitalized patients from 2010 to 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. These cases include large nodular goiter, nodular goiter behind the sternum or located in the lower pole of the thyroid gland, thyroid cancer, tumors of parathyroid gland, etc. We studied the conditions of lesions involving the laryngeal recurrent nerve and the defensive measures to protect the nerve.

The laryngeal recurrent nerve was dissected successfully in 50 cases, except 2 cases whose laryngeal recurrent nerve were violated by thyroid cancer.

When we dissect the laryngeal recurrent nerves in different and difficult thyroid, the glands and tumors were mostly needed to be freed and turned inward and forward. After that, the laryngeal recurrent nerves can be dissected successfully with the markers of tracheoesophageal groove, inferior thyroid artery and/or angle under the thyroid cartilage.