Abstract:

Background:The proximity of the Recurrent Laryngeal and External Branch of Superior Laryngeal Nerve to the Thyroid Gland has been a key factor for a profound interest of surgeons and clinicians in the clinical outcomes and Vocal changes in the post operative period in the patients undergoing thyroid surgery. The presence of Recurrent Laryngeal nerve in proximity of Thyroid poses a significant risk of damage to the nerve during surgery. The Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve SuppliesLarynx below the level of vocal cords and all the muscles except Cricothyroid. Posterior Cricoarytenoid, the only abductor of vocal cord is also supplied by this nerve. So, any damage to the nerve during surgery causes significant changes in pitch and texture of voice, commonly referred to as hoarseness.Intra-operative Nerve Monitoringwas introduced about 50 years ago and various neuromonitoring methods (glottis pressure method, glottic monitoring method, insertion of needle electrodes invocal cords endoscopically or through cricothyroid membrane, laryngeal palpationmethod, and monitoring via endotracheal tube with surface electrodes) have been utilized. We present a retrospective cohort study to surmise the effect of the use of Intraoperative nerve monitoring devices during Thyroid surgery and compare the clinical outcome in two cohorts. First, the study group where the nerve monitoring was used intraoperatively and the Second, where no intraoperative nerve monitoring was used. All the Patients included in the study underwent Thyroid surgery in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MBS Hospital, Kota.

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