Neuromonitoring of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery

Changes of the voice caused by injury of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroid surgery may have essential consequences for a patient's life. Therefore, intraoperative effort has to be made to prevent EBSLN damage. Neuromonitoring has already been described as helpful to improve the identification rate of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. We describe our surgical procedure of upper thyroid pole preparation using neuromonitoring to avoid intraoperative damage of the superior laryngeal nerve. Neuromonitoring allowed safe preparation of the upper thyroid pole without injury of the ESBLN in 108 consecutive patients. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.