Anatomical and developmental aspects of iatrogenic injury to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in surgical resections of substernal goiter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli ◽  
Alfredo Jorge Vasconcelos Duarte ◽  
Aline de Quadros Teixeira ◽  
Thiago Scharth Montenegro ◽  
Pedro Eder Portari Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Iatrogenic Injury ◽  
Substernal Goiter ◽  
The Right

Neonatal Vocal Cord Paralysis Following Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Schumacher ◽  
Irvin J. Weinfeld ◽  
Robert H. Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Vocal Cord ◽  
Vocal Cord Paralysis ◽  
Vocal Cord Palsy ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis

Five cases of unilateral vocal cord paralysis/ paresis were diagnosed following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for newborn respiratory failure. All were right sided and transient in nature. None of the five patients had other findings commonly associated with vocal cord palsy. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure requires surgical dissection in the carotid sheath on the right side of the neck, an area immediately adjacent to both the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve. It is speculated that vocal cord paralysis in these infants was acquired as a result of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation. Although the vocal cord paralysis resolved in all cases, two patients had difficult courses after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Therefore, laryngoscopic examination should be considered for patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

scholarly journals Anatomical Variations of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve and Implications for Injury Prevention during Surgical Procedures of the Neck

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 670
Author(s):  
Alison M. Thomas ◽  
Daniel K. Fahim ◽  
Jickssa M. Gemechu
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Inferior Thyroid Artery ◽  
Branching Pattern ◽  
The Right ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscles ◽  
Formalin Fixed

Accurate knowledge of anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) provides information to prevent inadvertent intraoperative injury and ultimately guide best clinical and surgical practices. The present study aims to assess the potential anatomical variability of RLN pertaining to its course, branching pattern, and relationship to the inferior thyroid artery, which makes it vulnerable during surgical procedures of the neck. Fifty-five formalin-fixed cadavers were carefully dissected and examined, with the course of the RLN carefully evaluated and documented bilaterally. Our findings indicate that extra-laryngeal branches coming off the RLN on both the right and left side innervate the esophagus, trachea, and mainly intrinsic laryngeal muscles. On the right side, 89.1% of the cadavers demonstrated 2–5 extra-laryngeal branches. On the left, 74.6% of the cadavers demonstrated 2–3 extra-laryngeal branches. In relation to the inferior thyroid artery (ITA), 67.9% of right RLNs were located anteriorly, while 32.1% were located posteriorly. On the other hand, 32.1% of left RLNs were anterior to the ITA, while 67.9% were related posteriorly. On both sides, 3–5% of RLN crossed in between the branches of the ITA. Anatomical consideration of the variations in the course, branching pattern, and relationship of the RLNs is essential to minimize complications associated with surgical procedures of the neck, especially thyroidectomy and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. The information gained in this study emphasizes the need to preferentially utilize left-sided approaches for ACDF surgery whenever possible.

scholarly journals Non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3469
Author(s):  
Shah Urvin Manish ◽  
Boopathi Subbarayan ◽  
Saravanakumar Subbaraj ◽  
Tirou Aroul Tirougnanassambandamourty ◽  
S. Robinson Smile
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Nodular Goiter ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Inferior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Nonrecurrent Inferior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Aged Woman ◽  
Middle Aged Woman ◽  
The Right

The incidence of Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is reported to be 0.6%-0.8% on the right side and in 0.004% on the left side. Damage to this nerve during thyroidectomy may lead to vocal cord complications and should therefore be prevented. A middle-aged woman with a nodular goiter who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular colloid goiter. We encountered a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right side in a patient during surgery. We were not able to find the inferior laryngeal nerve in its usual position using the customary anatomical landmarks. Instead, it was emerging directly from the right vagus nerve at a right angle and entering the larynx as a unique non-bifurcating nerve. Nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve incidence is very rare, but when present, increases the risk of damage during thyroidectomy. Hence, it is very important to be aware of the anatomical variations of the inguinal lymph node (ILN) and the use of safe meticulous dissection while looking for the nerve during thyroidectomy. The use of Intra-operative neuro-monitoring (IONM) if available in thyroid surgery allows the surgeon to recognize and differentiate branches of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) from sympathetic anastomoses, as well as NRLN during surgery.

270 LYMPHADENECTOMY ALONG BILATERAL RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE UNDER SINGLE-PORT INFLATABLE MEDIASTINOSCOPY THROUGH LEFT NECK APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
X Wu ◽  
X Gan ◽  
Q Cao
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Lower Edge ◽  
Invasive Esophagectomy ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Left Neck ◽  
The Right

Abstract   Mediastinal lymphadenectomy is a crucial part of minimally invasive esophagectomy, and requires transthoracic operation, which is a crucial independent risk factor for the incidence of pulmonary complications. Conventionally, non-transthoracic esophagectomy was often achieved by mediastinoscope-assisted laparoscopic transhiatal surgery. Because of the small space, the lymphadenectomy could be only performed partially under mediastinoscope in upper mediastinal. We propose a new approach of lymphadenectomy along bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve under mediastinoscopy through one left-neck incision. Methods A 3-cm incision paralleling the clavicle was made at 2-cm from the supraclavicular region in the left neck. After established pneumomediastinum (10-12 mmHg carbon dioxide), esophagectomy begins to perform over the aortic arch to the level of lower edge of the left main bronchus, and the lymphadenectomy along the left RLN has also accomplished during this process. At the level of lower edge of the right subclavian artery (RSA), between the trachea and the esophagus, the instruments could get accessed to the right RLN. The lymphadenectomy could get accomplished up to 2-cm at the upper edge of the RSA. Results The mean age of 56 esophageal squamous cell cancer patients was 67.4 years, 46 males and 10 females. Tumor location: middle thoracic, 31 patients, lower thoracic, 23 patients. Preoperative TNM staging: T1b was 10 cases, T2 was 35 cases, and T3 was 11 cases. The median number of mediastinal LNs removed was 17 (9 to 23); 6 (2 to 9) along the left RLN; 3 (1 to 6) along the right RLN. 7 patients (12.5%) developed RLN palsy. Postoperative laryngoscopy showed that all of the 7 RLN palsy were left side, none of them appeared at 3 months postoperation. Conclusion This approach enables the lymphadenectomy along bilateral RLN through one left neck incision. During the operation, the upper mediastinal LNs along the bilateral RLN were clearly revealed and en bloc excised. Meanwhile, the bilateral RLN were fully exposed and protected during the procedure. Compared with the previous surgical methods,this procedure is less invasive, and the bilateral RLN could be exposed much clearer. It would provide a novel approach for the minimally invasive esophagectomy, especially lymphadenectomy.

Dissociation of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve

ASVIDE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 208-208
Author(s):  
Xiangfeng Gan ◽  
Hongcheng Zhong ◽  
Xiaojian Li ◽  
Xiaojin Wang ◽  
Wenwen Huo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
The Right

Stimulation of vagal C-fibers alters timing and distribution of respiratory motor output in cats

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 2249-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Holmes ◽  
J. E. Remmers
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Breathing Pattern ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Vascular Congestion ◽  
Vagal Afferent ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid ◽  
The Right ◽  
Decerebrate Cats

Pulmonary vascular congestion or pulmonary embolism in humans produces shallow tachypnea, and indirect experimental evidence suggests that this characteristic breathing pattern may result from activation of vagal unmyelinated afferents from the lung. We have investigated, in decerebrate cats, reflex changes in breathing pattern and in the activation of the diaphragm, posterior cricoarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles caused by activating C-fiber afferents in the vagus nerve. The right vagus nerve was sectioned distal to the origin of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, eliminating vagal afferent traffic although preserving motor innervation of the larynx on that side. The left cervical vagus was stimulated electrically, and efferent activation of the laryngeal muscles was avoided by cutting the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Transmission to the brain of vagal afferent traffic resulting from this stimulation was controlled by graded cold block of the nerve cranial to the site of application of the stimulus. Activation of C-fibers, when A-fibers were blocked, significantly decreased respiratory period and amplitude of diaphragm inspiratory burst. In addition, this selective activation of vagal C-fibers augmented postinspiratory activity of the diaphragm and recruited phasic expiratory bursts in the thyroarytenoid. We conclude that, in unanesthetized decerebrate cats, afferent traffic of vagal C-fibers initiates a pontomedullary reflex that increases respiratory frequency, decreases tidal volume, and augments braking of expiratory airflow.

scholarly journals Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during totally robot-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

2020 ◽  
Vol 405 (8) ◽  
pp. 1091-1099
Author(s):  
J. I. Staubitz ◽  
P. C. van der Sluis ◽  
F. Berlth ◽  
F. Watzka ◽  
F. Dette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Node Dissection ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Nerve Monitoring ◽  
Ivor Lewis ◽  
Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy ◽  
Vocal Cord Paresis ◽  
The Right

Abstract Purpose The robot-assisted approach for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy offers an enlarged, three-dimensional overview of the intraoperative situs. The vagal nerve (VN) can easily be detected, preserved, and intentionally resected below the separation point of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). However, postoperative vocal cord paresis can result from vagal or RLN injury during radical lymph node dissection, presenting a challenge to the operating surgeon. Methods From May to August 2019, 10 cases of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with extended 2-field lymphadenectomy, performed at the University Medical Center Mainz, were included in a prospective cohort study. Bilateral intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) of the RLN and VN was performed, including pre- and postoperative laryngoscopy assessment. Results Reliable mean signals of the right VN (2.57 mV/4.50 ms) and the RLN (left 1.24 mV/3.71 ms, right 0.85 mV/3.56 ms) were obtained. IONM facilitated the identification of the exact height of separation of the right RLN from the VN. There were no cases of permanent postoperative vocal paresis. Median lymph node count from the paratracheal stations was 5 lymph nodes. Conclusion IONM was feasible during RAMIE. The intraoperative identification of the RLN location contributed to the accuracy of lymph node dissection of the paratracheal lymph node stations. RLN damage and subsequent postoperative vocal cord paresis can potentially be prevented by IONM.

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