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The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
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Evaluation of the efficacy of recurrent laryngeal nerve identification utilizing the Zuckerkandl tubercle

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 30, pages 34–37 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Introduction

Recurrent laryngeal nerve identification is an essential step in thyroid surgery for preserving the patients’ voice and thus their quality of life. Methods of dissection and identification are adopted according to the surgeon’s preference.

Objective

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of recurrent laryngeal nerve identification using the Zuckerkandl tubercle as an anatomical landmark in comparison with the usual inferosuperior dissection of the tracheoesophageal groove.

Patients and methods

Four-hundred patients undergoing thyroidectomy were enrolled in a prospective comparative study. They were divided into two equal groups, each group being subjected to a specific technique.

Results and conclusion

There was a nonsignificant statistical difference between the two techniques, thus validating the efficacy of Zuckerkandl tubercle as an anatomical landmark for identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Level of evidence

Ib.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Ain Shams University, Abbasya Square, Cairo, 11471, Egypt

    Sherif K. Mohamed MD, PhD & Tamer S. Sobhy

Authors
  1. Sherif K. Mohamed MD, PhD
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  2. Tamer S. Sobhy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sherif K. Mohamed MD, PhD.

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Conflicts of interest

None declared.

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Mohamed, S.K., Sobhy, T.S. Evaluation of the efficacy of recurrent laryngeal nerve identification utilizing the Zuckerkandl tubercle. Egypt J Otolaryngol 30, 34–37 (2014). https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.127197

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1012-5574.127197

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