TITLE:
Anatomical Variations of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: The Danger in Thyroid Surgery
AUTHORS:
Fatogoma Issa Koné, Siaka Soumaoro, Naouma Cissé, N’faly Konaté, Kassim Diarra, Djibril Samaké, Kadidiatou Singaré, Kadidiatou Singaré, Boubacary Guindo, Samba Karim Timbo, Mohamed Amadou Keita
KEYWORDS:
Anatomical Variation, Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve, Surgery, Mali
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
14,
2019
ABSTRACT: Objectives: We report two types of anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in two patients. Through these two patients we wanted to highlight our surgical approach of the recurrent nerve in an unusual position and to describe the surgical implication of these almost rare variations. Case report: patient aged 28 and 58 admitted for goiter. They underwent a right lobisthmectomy. Both recurrences were approached retrograde. The anatomical variations of the nerve concerned the non-recurrent laryngeal nerve in the first patient. In the second patient there were three anatomical variations, namely an extra laryngeal bifurcation of the nerve, a pre-vascular position of the nerve and a branch connecting the vagus nerve and the recurrent nerve. No recurrence nerve injury was noted. Conclusion: The anatomical variations of the nerve are numerous. A careful dissection is a guarantee of a good prognosis.