Cervicomediastinal Anastomotic Loop between Recurrent Laryngeal Nerves

양측 반회후두신경사이의 신경문합궁에 대한 실체

The anatomic course of recurrent laryngeal nerve, its branch and its function were most significant for laryngeal, thyroid and tracheoesophageal surgery. Furthermore, the vocal cord palsy resulting from multi-etiology was serious complication and resulted in affecting the life quality. So, for the prevention of this complication, the concepts and knowledge about anatomic course and variants are very important. At now, most of anatomic courses and it's function has been identified precisely. But recently, the report about the anastomotic loops of both recurrent laryngeal nerve was published. In this study, we explored three cadevors for identifying the reality of the anastomotic loops between recurrent laryngeal nerves. Finally, we identified the cervicomediastinal anastomosis at tracheoesophageal groove in 2 of 3 cadevors that was confirmed by pathologic finding. This anatomic reliefs related to it's branch are extremely interest, although research is still in its initial phase. Our study will be extended toward histomorphometrical study and progressive electrophysiologic study, and we will be able io gather the largest amount of useful data regarding any possible use of this anatomic entity in future.