• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.188-191
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• 2000

In thyroid and parathyroid surgery, damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN) is the most common iatrogenic cause of vocal cord paralysis. Identification and preservation of the BLNs and meticulous technique can siginificantly decrease the incidence of this complication. We experienced one case of NRRLN in a patient with the parathyroid adenoma. During the dissection, there was no branch to be considered as RLN in tracheoesophageal groove. While searching for the RLN, We found a white structure coursing horizontally at the level of cricoid cartilage directly arising from the vagus nerve in the carotid sheath. That structure was nonrecurrent recurrent laryngeal nerve(NRRLN) and NRRLNs are exceedingly rare. Awareness of the possibility of NRRLN will prevent the surgeon from accidentally severing one if it is encountered during surgery.