Objective: To study the anatomic characteristics of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.
Method: A retrospective review of surgical data of 307 patients undertook thyroid surgery was conducted.
Result: Total 342 recurrent laryngeal nerves were identified during the surgery(184 on the right side, left 158). 215 (62.9%) nerves were deep to the inferior thyroid artery, 106(31.0%)were superficial to the artery, 21(7.5%) were between the arterial branches. A nerve bifurcation was found in 203(59.4%). None of nerve bifurcation was found in 136(39.8%). 3(0.9%)were confirmed to hold non-recurrent laryngeal nerves during operations. No patient showed permanent laryngeal recurrent nerve paralysis postoperatively.
Conclusion: The careful dissection and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was an effective method to prevent its injury during thyroid surgery.