A Cross Sectional Study on the Anatomical Relationship of Inferior Thyroid Artery with Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Thyroidectomy in South Indian Population

Abstract

Imperative attitude during thyroidectomy is to identify the structure during the procedure before dividing any. Variable course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve constitutes challenges in its recognition and thus its preservation. Appropriate recognition of the nerve and preservation intraoperatively prior to the ligation of any structure averts complications.

A prospective cross-sectional study was done on 77 patients from South India who underwent thyroidectomy in a single centre. The course of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and its relation to inferior thyroid artery (ITA) and parathyroid glands were studied on both sides during thyroidectomy.

A total of 139 nerves were studied from 77 patients. On the right side; 74 nerves (RLN) were studied of which 25.67%(n=19) was noted anterior to ITA, 24.32%(n=18) was noted posterior to ITA and 50%(n=37) was seen in between the branches of ITA. On the left side; 65 nerves (RLN) were studied of which 15.38%(n=10) was noted anterior to ITA, 50.67%(n=33) was noted posterior to ITA and 33.84%(n=22) was seen in between the branches of ITA.

A total of 139 nerves were studied from 77 patients in which >50% of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) was seen located in between the branches of inferior thyroid artery (ITA) on the right side. On the left side, 50% of RLN was located posterior to the ITA.