Usefulness of neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery.
BACKGROUND
Identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the gold standard for reducing injury in thyroidectomy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of neuromonitoring in identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve.


METHODS
This was a study of 259 recurrent laryngeal nerves at risk during thyroidectomy performed with neuromonitoring (group A: 129 nerves) and without neuromonitoring (control group B: 130 nerves).


RESULTS
The percentage of visually unidentified nerves was 18% in group A and 20% in group B, with no statistical difference. From the moment of non-identification, identification with neuromonitoring was achieved in group A in 100% of cases. The difference was statistically significant. The positive and negative predictive value of neuromonitoring was 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuromonitoring helps to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve and increases the security of the surgeon in the technique. It is advisable to perform neuromonitoring routinely in thyroid surgery.
Sección de Cirugía Tiroidea y Paratiroidea, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Virgen de La Concha, Zamora, España. jlpardal@saludcastillayleon.es
José Luis
JL
Pardal-Refoyo
D000368:Aged; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000517:prevention & control; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D059708:Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D061223:Vagus Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*