RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroidectomy
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 80
OP 84
DO 10.15537/smj.2023.44.1.20220710
VO 44
IS 1
A1 Saad M. Alqahtani
A1 Hanan R. Al-sohabi
A1 Musaed F. Rayzah
A1 Amani S. Alatawi
A1 Areej A. AlFattani
A1 Yousef S. Alalawi
YR 2023
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/44/1/80.abstract
AB Objectives: To determine the incidence and possible risk factors of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, to provide a relevant literature review of studies from other centers in Saudi Arabia, and to present basic statistical data for future studies in our local community.Methods: A retrospective study enrolled patients who were surgically treated for thyroid disease between January 2015 and December 2021. For concerns during the procedure, direct laryngoscopy was carried out before extubation to assess the vocal cords. Similarly, indirect laryngoscopy was carried out for patients who developed postoperative voice changes. All patients were evaluated clinically 2-3 weeks after surgery. Nerve monitors were not used in either case.Results: The study examined 437 participants: 361 (82.6%) female and 76 (17.4%) male individuals. The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1.1%. The demographic characteristics, pathology (benign vs. malignant), and extent of thyroidectomy were not significantly associated with the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.Conclusion: A recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a serious complication, and further studies are required to determine the safest techniques for thyroidectomy. However, centralization of thyroid surgery in high-volume centers might reduce this risk.