title: [Intraoperative avoidance and recognition of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in thyroid surgery].
abstract: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is an intrinsic complication of thyroid surgery. Prevention of nerve palsy is considered to be a feature of quality in this very frequently performed operation. Risk factors and prevention strategies are demonstrated and discussed with reference to the current literature. Exact knowledge of the anatomy and possible variants of the track of the recurrent laryngeal nerve as well as its visualization and careful dissection are the cornerstones for nerve preservation. The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring allows preservation of the anatomical structure and functional integrity of the nerve and lesions which are not visible can be detected. Preconditions for correct interpretation are a standardized application and preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Klink für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Thoraxchirurgie und Endokrine Chirurgie, Ev. Krankenhaus Bethesda Duisburg GmbH, Heerstr. 219, 47053, Duisburg, Deutschland, d.simon@bethesda.de.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Wilcke
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*