Neuromonitoring of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve

Injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) can cause significant vocal dysfunction for both professional and nonprofessional voice users. Historically, many surgeons have attempted to minimize the risk of damaging the EBSLN by simply avoiding it. However, as with the RLN, identification of the nerve seems to provide patients with significantly better voice outcomes. IONM of the EBSLN serves as tool to dramatically increase the rate of EBSLN identification and preservation. With time adoption of monitoring techniques of the EBLSN will likely become widely adopted.