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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
[Bilateral vocal cord paresis after total thyroidectomy]
H Dralle1, J Neu2, T J Musholt3
1Universitätsklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Gefäßchirurgie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Straße 40, 06097, Halle (Saale), Deutschland. henning.dralle@uk-halle.de.
Abstract:
A 66-year-old female patient complained of hoarseness and dyspnea under exertion following total thyroidectomy. Due to a faulty operating technique both nerves to the vocal cords were damaged. From the operation report it emerged that the dissection was carried out by protecting the border lamellae but the recurrent laryngeal nerve could not be found on both sides. This article presents the external expert opinion, the decision of the arbitration board and the assessment of the case by two specialist physicians.
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