Trifurcation of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Case Report

Abstract

Nowadays, thyroidectomy is a frequently performed type of surgery. Although thyroid operations are generally performed without complications, there may be many anatomic variation and complications related with them. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis is a frightening complication of thyroid surgery. For preventing this complication, having a good knowledge and experience about this small anatomic region is necessary. In this paper, we present a case of RLN variation identified in a 36-year-old female patient with multinodular goiter. Thyroidectomy was decided after examinations performed due to palpable swelling in the neck, then, three-branched left RLN was found after proper dissection and preserved during thyroidectomy operation. No complication was observed in the post-operative period and the patient was discharged next day.

Keywords

• Recurrent laryngeal nerve
• trifurcation
• thyroidectomy
• anatomic variation
• nerve injury