[Anatomical variations of external laryngeal nerve and thyroid chirurgical: about 32 dissections].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to improve our knowledge about external laryngeal nerve anatomical and its variations at the superior extremity of thyroid and to estimate the risk of its injury during surgical thyroid procedures.


METHODS
Anatomical, descriptive study performed in the service of pathology and forensic medicine of the university hospital of Treichville. Sixteen fresh adults cadavers have been dissected (32 dissections of the superior thyroid pedicle).


RESULTS
We found the external nerve laryngeal and the higher thyroid artery in 100% of cases. The 32 dissected nerves were born on the level of the greater horn of the hyoid bone. The situation of the external laryngeal nerve in relation to the branches of the superior thyroid artery were: (1) in 75% of cases non-intermingled; (2) in 25% of cases intermingled. The risks of lesions of the external laryngeal nerve are: (1) 25% overall; (2) 12,5% on the right; (3) 37,5% on the left.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of injury of the external laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery procedure is never zero. It is more important on the left side.
N'guessan
L K
LK
Service ORL et CCF, CHU de Cocody, BP V6, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. nkofil@yahoo.fr
Chatigre
R
R
N'Da Koffi
D
D
Kassanyou
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*