• 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.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2006

Purpose: The nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve(NRLN) is a rare anomaly that is associated with the developmentally aberrant subclavian artery. Although rare on the right side and exceptional on the left, an aberrant nonrecurrent pathway for RLN represents a major surgical risk. Three course variations of right NRLN can be distinguished: descending(type I) , horizontal(type II), ascending(type III). This study is performed to characterize the variations of NRLN, associated vascular anomaly, and proper surgical methods for preventing nerve damage. Materials and Methods: Between January 1998 and March 2006 3,381 thyroidectomy were performed at our institution, and during these operations a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was observed in 13 cases (0.38%). There were 1 men and 12 women with a median age of 48 years(range 28-57). All of them are identified on the right side. Results: In all cases, there were no clinical symptoms observed preoperatively. The nerve anomaly was diagnosed preoperatively in only one case. There were type I variations of right RLN in 2 cases and type II variations in 11 cases. The retroesophageal aberrant right subcalvian artery; no innominate(brachiocephalic) artery was found and the right common carotic artery was arising directly from the aortic arch, was seen in 12 cases. A vocal cord palaysis caused by NRLN damage during operation was observed in one patient(7.6%) , where the nerve was close to the superior thyroid artery. No other complications were noted. Conclusion: It can be possible to predict NRLN from signs associated with the vascular anomaly; clinical symptoms or imaging studies. When an vascular anomaly is not detected preoperatively, overlooking possibility of NRLN may lead to severe operative morbidity. Hence, It is most important to identify all the thyroid structures carefully during thyroid surgery and to be aware of the possibility of anatomic variations of RLN.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-70
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: The nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve(NRLN) is exceedingly rare nerve anomaly that is associated with developmentally aberrant subclavian artery. The presence of NRLN is associated with an increased risk of vocal cord palsy in thyroid surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate its prevalence, associated vascular anomaly and necessity of recognizing its possibility for prevention of intraoperative nerve damage. Materials and Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 583 thyroidectomy were performed at our hospital. Of these cases, 529 cases(90.7%) were checked preoperative neck CT. Results: Patients with preopreative neck CT, 6 cases show the retroesophageal abberant right subclavian artery that arising directly form the aortic arch. 5 cases of these 6 cases(5/6, 83.3%) and of 583 patients(5/583, 0.8%) performed thyroid surgery were identified NRLN per-operatively. All of them are identified on the right side. There were 4 women and 1 man. In all cases, there were no clinical symptoms. I case was performed only left hemithyroidectomy, so we cannot identified NRLN. No vocal cord palsy was observed. Conclusion: It is possible to predict NRLN from preoperative neck CT. When NRLN is suspected, careful, complete dissection of the nerve is always advocated. These process can reduce the operative morbidity.