title: [Identification techniques of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in endoscopic thyroidectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the application of identification techniques of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in endothyroidectomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Routine identification of the RLN was performed in a series of 20 consecutive endothyroidectomies, and the clinical data were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally 20 RLNs were dissected. Neither transient nor permanent RLN injury occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To expose RLN, both sharp and blunt dissection should be applied skillfully. Thorough liberation of the thyroid lobe is essential for the identification of RLN. It is safe and feasible to remove the thyroid and identify the RLN simultaneously.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ledu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jindong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Qingjun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000517:prevention & control