Medicina (Mar 2022)

Optimization of Intraoperative Neural Monitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroid Surgery

  • Chia-Yuan Hsieh,
  • Hao Tan,
  • Hui-Fang Huang,
  • Tzu-Yen Huang,
  • Che-Wei Wu,
  • Pi-Ying Chang,
  • David-Vi Lu,
  • I-Cheng Lu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58040495
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 58, no. 4
p. 495

Abstract

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The application of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) has been widely accepted to improve surgical outcomes after thyroid surgery. The malfunction of an IONM system might interfere with surgical procedures. Thus, the development of anesthesia modalities aimed at ensuring functional neuromonitoring is essential. Two key issues should be taken into consideration for anesthetic management. Firstly, most patients undergo recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring via surface electrodes embedded in an endotracheal tube. Thus, advanced video-assisted devices might optimize surface electrode positioning for improved neuromonitoring signaling accuracy. Secondly, neuromuscular blocking agents are routinely used during thyroid surgery. The ideal neuromuscular block should be deep enough for surgical relaxation at excision and recovered enough for an adequate signal f nerve stimulation. Proper neuromuscular block management could be achieved by titration doses of muscle relaxants and reversal agents.

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