Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
Lateral laryngeal ultrasound for vocal cord evaluation in neck surgery: A mutually double-blind comparative study
Jung-Woo Woo1, Jun Ho Lee2, Han Shin Lee3
1Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital and College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Changwon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/DrW369021179749.
Background:
Vocal cord dysfunction is a significant complication after thyroid surgery, typically evaluated with invasive laryngoscopy. This study assessed diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of lateral laryngeal ultrasound as a noninvasive alternative.
Methods:
In a prospective, double-blind study at Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital (February 2016 to June 2023), 718 patients underwent preoperative and postoperative vocal cord assessment using laryngoscopy and lateral laryngeal ultrasound. Both patients and assessors were blinded to the counterpart modality. Sensitivity, specificity, and visualization rates were analyzed.
Results:
Lateral laryngeal ultrasound visualized vocal cords in 99.6% of cases (715/718), with 100% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity for detecting vocal cord paralysis compared with laryngoscopy. No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions:
Lateral laryngeal ultrasound is a reliable, noninvasive tool for perioperative vocal cord evaluation, offering a patient-friendly alternative that may reduce the need for laryngoscopy in thyroid surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Blind Procedures
Mutual Inductance
When two circuits carrying time-varying currents are close to one another, the magnetic flux through each circuit varies because of the changing current in the other circuit. Consequently, an emf is induced in each circuit by the changing current in the other. Therefore, this type of emf is called...
Blinding
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...

