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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.
A 66-year-old female experienced hoarseness and shortness of breath after thyroid surgery due to bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve damage from faulty technique. This case highlights surgical risks and the importance of nerve identification during thyroidectomy.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure.
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage can lead to vocal cord dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old female developed hoarseness and exertional dyspnea post-total thyroidectomy.
- Surgical records indicated difficulty in identifying bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves despite protecting border lamellae.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms were attributed to bilateral vocal cord nerve damage, likely due to a faulty surgical technique.
- Expert opinions and arbitration board decisions were obtained for case assessment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical importance of meticulous surgical technique and anatomical landmark identification during thyroidectomy.
- Potential for iatrogenic injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerves necessitates heightened surgical awareness and precision.
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