Neural monitoring in thyroid surgery

Abstract

Numerous operating tools and technology transfers are available for thyroid surgery teams performing open, endoscopic and robotic procedures but none, or very few, of them constitutes a mandatory prerequisite. Over the past decade, the choice of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), has been reached certain consensus. Identification and intraoperative assessment of the RLN seems to be more effectively performed with IONM than solely visually or endoscopically. Today, IONM has evolved sufficiently to increase the likelihood of successful functional outcomes in many patients. The transition from the concept of intermitted neural monitoring of the RLN to that of continuous functions evaluation that must be appreciate requires highly skilled knowledge of IONM. This goal will be more likely achieved in Centers highly specialized in thyroid surgery.

Keywords

• Neural monitoring
• thyroid surgery
• recurrent laryngeal nerve
• IONM