Extralaryngeal division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: A common and asymmetric anatomical variant

OBJECTIVE: Recognition of extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is crucial because prevention of vocal cord paralysis requires preservation of all branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. We assessed the prevalence of extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the median branching distance from the point of bifurcation to the entry point of the nerve into the larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective operative data on recurrent laryngeal nerve branching were collected from 94 patients who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery between September 2011 and May 2012. RESULTS: A total of 161 recurrent laryngeal nerves were examined (82 right, 79 left). Overall, 77 (47.8%) of 161 recurrent laryngeal nerves were bifurcated before entering the larynx. There were 36 (43.9%) branching nerves on the right and 41 (51.9%) branching nerves on the left, and there was no significant difference between the sides in terms of branching (p=0.471). Among 67 patients who underwent bilateral exploration, 28.4% were found to have bilateral branching, 40.3% had unilateral branching, and the remaining 31.3% had no branching. The median branching distance was 15 mm (5-60mm). CONCLUSION: Extralaryngeal division of recurrent laryngeal nerve is a common and asymmetric anatomical variant. These variations can be easily recognized if the recurrent laryngeal nerve is identified at the level of the inferior thyroid artery and then dissected totally to the entry point of the larynx. Inadvertent division of a branch may lead to vocal cord palsy postoperatively, even when the surgeon believes the integrity of the nerve has been preserved.