title: Variations in the locations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in relation to the ligament of Berry.
abstract: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is one of the most common iatrogenic complications of thyroid surgery. The anatomical course of the nerve also increases its susceptibility to injury and many variations have been documented in the literature. The topographical relationship  of the RLN to the ligament of Berry has been extensively studied over the past decades. The consensus in the literature is divided with several authors reporting the nerve to be embedded within the ligament and others reporting a constant finding of the nerve being posterolateral to the ligament.  A new operative concept has been recently introduced as a possible resolution for the conflicting reports among authors. Further investigations are needed, however, to assess its reliability and overall effects on clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Denzil
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Etienne
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Klaassen
authors.forename: Mohammadali M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shoja
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D061224:Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects