title: Laryngeal nerve monitoring: current utilization among head and neck surgeons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is continued debate over the value of laryngeal nerve monitoring (LNM) during thyroidectomy. Previous studies have suggested that utilization of electromyographic endotracheal tubes for neuromonitoring is limited. We queried head and neck surgeons regarding their attitudes toward LNM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Voluntary survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Internet based.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey of the members of the American Head and Neck Society was performed. Information was collected on participants' training history, practice setting, years of experience, and annual volume of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. Participants' use of LNM and their beliefs regarding possible benefits were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seventy surveys were completed (18% response rate). Of respondents, 65% use LNM in at least some thyroid and parathyroid cases, 37% always and 28% sometimes. The most commonly cited reasons for LNM use were "medical-legal protection" and "increased confidence." Comparing otolaryngologists to general surgeons, 43% versus 17% (P = .016) always use LNM, 27% versus 36% sometimes use monitoring, and 30% versus 47% never use monitoring. Younger surgeons were more likely to use LNM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Currently, no consensus exists regarding the use of LNM during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Our results suggest that LNM use has become more widespread. Irrespective of the reasons surgeons are adopting LNM, if this trend continues, LNM may eventually become routine practice among head and neck surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia 30912-4060, USA. msinger@georgiahealth.edu
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: Krishnamurthi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundaram
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004576:Electromyography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000601:surgery; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery