[Variation of extralaryngeal furcation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in total thyroidectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the extralaryngeal furcation variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in total thyroidectomy.


METHODS
The clinical data of 216 RLNs from 108 patients undergone total thyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
RLN was found during every operation and exposed in whole course until access into larynx. Twenty (9.26%) pieces of RLNs showed bifurcated or trifurcated RLNs before access into larynx. Ratio of furcation is lower than that reported before internationally. Bifurcations of RLNs on the left were more than that on the right.


CONCLUSIONS
The protection of RLN is important for thyroid operation, especially in total thyroidetomy. Variation of extralaryngeal furcation of RLN usually leads to injury of RLN. Understanding of variation of RLN could decrease nerve function related complication.
Zhe
Z
Fan
Lin
L
Zhang
Yingyi
Y
Zhang
D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy