Predictive markers in estimating the need for early intensive care in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction in the emergency department.

Introduction: Adhesive small-bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common condition requiring emergency room admission, and predicting the need for intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalisation is crucial for optimal patient management. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of various scores and indices in determining ICU requirements in patients with ASBO. Patients and Methods: Seventy patients diagnosed with ASBO and managed nonoperatively were included in the study. Data on patient demographics, laboratory values, imaging findings, previous hospitalisations and comorbidities were collected. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio were calculated. Patients were categorised into ICU and non-ICU groups for analysis. Results: The ICU group comprised patients with higher number of previous ASBO hospitalisations and longer hospitalisation days. Serum albumin levels were significantly lower and the maximum small-bowel horizontal diameter was significantly higher in the ICU group. The SOFA score and CCI score were significantly higher in the ICU group. The CRP/albumin ratio showed a trend towards significance. Conclusion: The number of days since the last stool discharge, SOFA score and CCI score demonstrated significant associations with ICU requirements in ASBO patients. These findings highlight the importance of assessing organ dysfunction, comorbidities and gastrointestinal function during patient triage. Our study provides valuable insights into predicting ICU need in ASBO patients, aiding in resource allocation and patient management.

The Relationship Between Colonoscopy Practice Style, Operator Ergonomics and Procedure Quality.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare three endoscopy operators who performed colonoscopy in three different styles in terms of procedure results, colonoscopy quality, and operator comfort during the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 246 patients, who underwent routine screening colonoscopy for precancerous lesions between May and December 2022 in Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, were prospectively analyzed. The results of three different styles (single operator sitting, single operator standing, and two operators standing) were compared with each other. The following criteria were examined: polyp/adenoma detection rate, number of polyps detected per patient, cecal intubation rate, total procedure time, number of endoscope corrective maneuvers, number of patient position corrections during the procedure, and the endoscopist's subjective pain scale after the procedure. RESULTS:  The number of corrections and changes in scope position, rates of changing the patient's position during the procedure, and the postprocedural fatigue degree of the endoscopist were the highest for the single-operator standing style (p<0.001). The total processing time and post-procedure fatigue degree of the endoscopist were the lowest for the single-operator sitting style (p<0.001). The adenoma detection rate was the highest for single-operator standing style (37.8% vs 22.0% and 29.3%). The strongest predictive factors for the total procedure time were the colonoscopy style and patient age. The strongest predictive factors for the change in the total number of detected polyps were colonoscopy style, patient gender, and patient age. Independent of all other factors, the total detected number of polyps was statistically significantly higher for the single-operator standing style compared to other styles (B=-0.217, 95% confidence interval: -0.369 - -0.066 and p=0.005) (B=-0.172, 95% confidence interval: -0.326 - -0.017 and p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Two conclusions were drawn from this study. For routine screening colonoscopy, the single-operator sitting style seems to be superior to other styles in terms of the shortest procedure time and the least tiring. However, the widely used single-operator standing style should be preferred over other styles in terms of the highest adenoma detection rate although it is most tiring and time-consuming.

A new risk scoring system for early prediction of surgical need in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction: a single-center retrospective clinical study.

Purpose: Cases of adhesive small bowel obstruction are a nuisance to surgeons. There have been years of ongoing discussions, and various guidelines have been published for the management of this disease. Both surgical and conservative approaches can have their own complications. It is often difficult to decide which treatment to apply to which patient. We aimed to create a multiparametric scoring system for the optimal management of adhesive small bowel obstruction patients. Methods: The retrospective laboratory, clinical and radiological records of 100 patients who were hospitalized and followed-up/treated for adhesive small bowel obstruction secondary to surgery in the General Surgery Clinic of Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital (Istanbul) between 2011 and 2021 were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: Admittance CRP and the largest diameter of the small intestine in the horizontal section of the admittance CT scans were significantly higher (P = 0.006 and P = 0.007), and the admittance albumin and sodium values were significantly lower (P < 0.001 and P = 0.031) in patients operated on for adhesive small bowel obstruction than in patients not operated on. Free intraperitoneal fluid in CT scans was detected at a higher rate in the operated group. An adhesive small bowel obstruction surgery score above 3.5 points out of 7 was found to be significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: With this easy and applicable scoring system, complications of existing disease may be avoided by considering earlier surgical intervention in patients with a score of 4 and above.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Thyroid Surgery: An Efficient Tool to Avoid Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the effects of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) on the prevalence of vocal cord palsy (VCP) in thyroid surgery. METHODS: Data from 493 patients (839 nerves at risk [NAR]) who underwent thyroid surgery between July 2014 and May 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (G1) consisted of patients who underwent surgery without IONM, whereas group 2 (G2) consisted of patients who underwent surgery with IONM. The surgical techniques were identical, and experienced surgeons performed the procedures in both groups. Intraoperative neuromonitoring was performed in compliance with the International Neural Monitoring Guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 211 patients (170 female, 41 male) with 360 NAR were included in G1, and 282 patients (220 female, 62 male) with 479 NAR were included in G2. The number of VCP per NAR in G1 and G2 was 33 (9.2%) and 27 (5.6%), respectively (P = .005). The number of transient VCP per NAR in G1 and G2 was 27 (7.5%) and 23 (4.8%; P = .230), respectively. The number of permanent VCP per NAR in G1 and G2 was 6 (1.7%) and 4 (0.8%; P = .341), respectively. Bilateral VCP was detected in 4 (2.7%) patients in G1, whereas there was no patient with bilateral VCP in G2 (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative neuromonitoring may decrease the incidence of total VCP and prevent the development of bilateral VCP, which has unfavorable results for both patients and health-care professionals.

Protective Loop Ileostomy Closure Techniques: Comparison of Three Different Surgical Techniques.

Objective Anastomotic leaks can be very dangerous in colorectal cancers. Protective loop ileostomy is life-saving in low anterior rectal tumors to prevent pelvic sepsis. The aim of this study is to compare early morbidities for stapled, handsewn closure (end to end) or handsewn closure (anterior wall only) of loop ileostomy, and to further assess efficacy and safety for each technique.  Methods Patients who underwent loop ileostomy closure from January 2014 and December 2019 retrospectively were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the potential risk factors on the rate of each complication. The patients were divided into three groups based on the anastomoses. The first group included patients who had handsewn anterior closure; the second group included patients who had side-to-side anastomosis using linear stapler, and the third group included patients who had end-to-end handsewn anastomosis. The primary endpoint of the study was the postoperative 30 days. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 198 patients underwent reversal. There was a statistical difference between the handsewn anterior wall and stapler anastomosis in terms of postoperative ileus and wound infection. The handsewn group was superior to anastomosis with stapler (p: 0.027 and p: 0.042, respectively). A statistical difference was found between handsewn anterior wall closure and handsewn end-to-end anastomosis in terms of postoperative ileus, wound infection, and postoperative hospital stay (p: 0.013, p: 0.037, and p: 0.046, respectively). When stapled anastomosis and handsewn end-to-end anastomosis techniques were compared, a statistical difference was found in terms of postoperative ileus risk (p: 0.043), but no significant difference was found in terms of postoperative wound infection and hospital stay. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the rate of anastomotic leakage between the handsewn and stapled techniques. The rate of small-bowel obstruction was higher in the handsewn group. As a result, in this study, it was revealed that the handsewn anterior wall closure technique is the best among all ileostomy closure techniques.

How should be the Surgical Treatment Approach during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer?

COVID-19 was first seen in China at the end of December 2019. COVID-19 is a novel type of coronavirus that is defined as SARS-CoV-2, which can be mild or severe in the lungs, causing acute respiratory infection. The disease was first presented in the literature as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in February 2020. The disease spread rapidly and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. There have been approximately 7734185 reported cases, and 412369 reported deaths to date (09/June/2020). As COVID-19 spread in the world and our country, hospitals struggling with this disease have also become risky areas for transmitting the disease. Health workers also have a high risk of viral contamination from direct contact of droplets and surfaces. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, coveralls, gloves, face shields and/or goggles, are mandatory. The aim is to spread the flow of cases requiring hospitalization over time, thereby preventing possible accumulation in hospitals. All non-urgent procedures, such as elective surgeries and diagnostic interventions, were significantly affected. The hospitalization procedures were mostly allocated to patients with COVID-19 infection, and surgical operations were postponed. Only urgent surgical cases and oncological surgeries that cannot be postponed were performed during this pandemic process. Patients followed by oncology are immunosuppressed both because of the disease itself and the side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy taken. This makes patients more susceptible to infections, and the prognosis of infections in these patients is worse and more destructive. Cancer patients are almost twice as likely to catch COVID-19 compared to the general population. The choice of surgical procedures and perioperative management of the patients with malignancy has become even more important in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we analyzed the treatment processes of our patients with malignancy that underwent a surgical oncological procedure during this pandemic.

Colostomy reversal after a Hartmann's procedure Effects of experience on mortality and morbidity.

AIM: Hartmann's procedure (HP) is mostly lifesaving procedure especially for obstructive colorectal carcinomas, but remains bothersome requiring staged operation and subsequent reversal colostomy. We aimed to investigate risk factors for unfavorable surgical outcome after Hartmann's reversal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2003 and September 2014, all patients who underwent colostomy reversal surgery after HP were enrolled into the study. Retrospective data collection included demographics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ASA scores) primary pathologies, interval period, surgeon who performed procedure [general surgeon (GS)/colorectal specialty (CRS)], postoperative complications and hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 72 patients (49M/23F) with a median age of 64 (range: 29-83) years. The median BMI was 24 (21-44). Most of the patients (82%) had ASA score 3-4. Colorectal cancer was the primary diagnosis in 79% while others included diverticular perforation, volvulus, trauma and Crohn disease. Hartmann's procedure was performed as an emergency in three-fifths of patients. Median interval period between index surgery and reversal colostomy was 7 (1-24) months. The morbidity and mortality rates for colostomy reversal surgery were 34% and 8.3%, respectively. The most common postoperative complication was surgical site infection (22%) followed by anastomotic leak 5%. Mortality and morbidity rates were significantly higher in patients with higher BMI (p=0.031), higher ASA scores (p=0.028) and patients who underwent procedure not by a CRS. CONCLUSION: Reversal colostomy procedure resulted in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with high BMI and ASA scores. Efforts to improve risk management and specialization in colorectal surgery may help to improve the outcome in reversal colostomy after Hartmann's procedure. KEY WORDS: Colorectal surgery, Experience, Hartmann's procedure, Reversal colostomy, Morbidity.

A comparison study of left-hand three-port videoscopy, left-hand four-port videoscopy and standard four-port videoscopy in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A comparison study of left-hand three-port videoscopy, left-hand four-port videoscopy and standard four-port videoscopy in laparoscopic cholecystectomy AIM: Reviewing the recent publishments on the safeness and practicality of three-port cholecystectomy we aimed to introduce the results of cholecystectomy that were performed by the primary surgeon's left hand videoscopy application through three ports. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 60 total laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients were retrospectively anaylsed. 20 patients underwent three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy with videoscopy using the primary surgeon's left hand, 20 patients underwent four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, again with left hand videoscopy application, and the other 20 patients underwent standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy by a more experienced surgeon. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to evaluate the distribution normalization of parameters. To compare the parameters of multiple groups; one-way ANOVA-Tukey HSD was used for normal distributed, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for abnormal distributed values. Pearson's chi-squared test was used for categorical values. The results with p-values of less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups for preoperative (p=0.456) and perioperative clinical characteristics (p=0.918), mean operation time (p=0.855), perioperative complication (p=0.153), conversion to open surgery (p=0.362) and the need for first assistant surgeon (p=0.235). However, the need for second assistant surgeon (p=0.017), assistant nurse (p=0.014) and fourth tool usage (p=0.000) were significantly lower in the three port group. CONCLUSION: Left-hand videoscopy in three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reliable and effective as the conventional techniques and cheaper than conventional techniques. It's easily applicaple and learnable for experienced surgeons. KEY WORDS: Cholecystectomy, Four ports, Laparoscopy, Left-hand videoscopy, Three ports.

The Relationship of Clinicopathological Factors of the Tumor with Preoperative TSH Level in Papillary Thyroid Cancers.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid-stimulating hormone/thyrotropin (TSH) is known to induce malignancies and tissue growth of the thyroid gland. While the relationship of higher levels of TSH with advanced stages of cancer had been published in previous studies, the relationship of the tumor with the clinicopathological factors had not been completely evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between highly risky clinicopathological factors with preoperative high levels of TSH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 89 patients (67 females and 22 males) who underwent surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer between 2011 and 2013 were reviewed. The relationship of preoperative TSH between tumor size, multicentricity, lymphovascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, central neck metastasis, and lateral neck metastasis was evaluated. RESULTS: The preoperative TSH levels were high in patients with multicentricity (p=0.022), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.018), and central neck metastasis (p=0.002). The prevalence of extrathyroidal extension (p=0.41), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.020), and central metastasis (p=0.009) was significantly high in patients with a TSH level ≥2.5 mIU/L. The preoperative TSH levels were determined as an independent predictive risk factor for central neck metastases (p=0.012) and extrathyroidal extension (p=0.041) in multinomial logistical regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The power of radiological imaging for the identification of central neck metastases in preoperative evaluation is limited. The preoperative high level of TSH is an independent predictive factor for central metastases and extrathyroidal extension. It can help to predict tumor staging. Furthermore, related with multicentricity and lymphovascular invasion, it can affect the high risk characteristics of the tumor except the stage. The preoperative TSH level can be considered for the probability of preoperative metastases and can contribute to plan the extent of surgery.

Complication Risk in Secondary Thyroid Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Secondary thyroid surgery is rare, compared with primary thyroid surgery. However, secondary surgery has a greater risk of complications due to the formation of scar tissue as well as increased fragility of the tissues following the previous surgery. Several surgical techniques and strategies have been recommended to decrease the complication rate associated with secondary surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rate in patients who underwent secondary thyroid surgery using a lateral approach and intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). METHODS: The data of 44 patients who underwent secondary surgical intervention after thyroid surgery performed for benign or malignant thyroid disease (Group 1), and of 44 patients who underwent primary surgery (Group 2) were compared. Lobectomy patients with a histopathological result of malignant disease, whom were applied completion thyroidectomy were excluded from the study. Secondary surgery was performed using a lateral approach. Access was achieved between the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the strap muscles. In primary surgery, the thyroid lodge was entered through the midline. Standard IONM was applied in all cases. Hypocalcemia was defined as a serum calcium level of ≤8 mg/dL within the first postoperative 48 hours, regardless of clinical symptoms. Transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was evaluated based on the number of nerves at risk. The lobectomy was considered to be high-risk with the presence of recurrence, Graves' disease, substernal goiter, and application of central dissection. RESULTS: The mean age of Group 1 and 2 was 49.9±14.1 years and 45±12.6 years , respectively (range: 22-90 years; p=0.69). Female patients constituted 90.9% (n=40) of the population in Group 1 and 75% (n=33) of the patient population in Group 2 (p=0.87). In Group 1, 11 (25%) patients, and 7 (15.9%) patients in Group 2 underwent surgical intervention due to the presence of a malignant disease (p=0.29). Bilateral intervention was applied in 26 (59.1%) patients in Group 1 and 28 (63.6%) patients in Group 2. The rate of transient and permanent hypocalcemia in Groups 1 and 2 was 34.1% (n=15) vs 22.5%, and 2.5% (n=1) vs 0%, respectively, without any significant intergroup difference (p=0.237, p=1). In Group 1, 71 lobes were operated on, and there were 72 in Group 2. All of the interventions in Group 1 (100%), and 31.9% (n=23) of those in Group 2 were high-risk, and there was a significant intergroup difference (p<0.0001). The rate of transient and permanent vocal cord paralysis were 4.2% (n=3) vs 2.8% (n=2) and 6.9 % (n=5) vs 0% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.719; p=0.245). CONCLUSION: When performed with a meticulous and attentive technique, secondary surgical intervention can be applied without increasing the incidence of permanent complications. Though there is substantial risk associated with all of these procedures, the rate of vocal cord paralysis was similar to that seen after primary intervention, and was thought to be related to surgical experience and technique, as well as the use of IONM.

Examination of the Effects of Celecoxib on Postmastectomy Seroma and Wound Healing.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of celecoxib on wound healing and development of seroma after mastectomy.Seroma is an accumulation of serous fluid in dead space emerging after breast cancer surgery. The pathophysiology of seroma has not been clearly elucidated. Development of seroma leads to prolongation of hospital stay, increase in costs, ischemia of the flaps, infections due to fluid accumulation, and delayed adjuvant treatment.Seroma is still a current problem, and the most common treatment method for this problem is drainage and repeated aspirations for 5-7 days after surgery. METHODS: The effect of celecoxib whose anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant effectiveness has been demonstrated in a mastectomy model applied on female Wistar rats has been investigated in the present study. A total of 20 rats including 10 rats in the control and 10 in the celecoxib group were studied.Intraperitoneal 0.25 cc/250 g (20 mg/kg/day) celecoxib was administered to the celecoxib group for 5 days after mastectomy, and the same volume of physiological saline solution was given to the control group for 5 days. Rats were followed up for 10 days after surgery. During this process, vitality of the rats, movements of the extremities, wound healing conditions, wound infections, flap necrosis, and occurrence of seroma were recorded. At the end of this period, seromas were aspirated, tissue samples were retrieved, and the rats were sacrificed. Fibrin, hemorrhage, edema, vascularization, congestion, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and increase in fibrotic tissue fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and macrophages were evaluated in tissue samples.In seroma fluids, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), an acute phase reactant, and vascular endothelial growth factor, a vital parameter of vascular proliferation and angiogenesis, were examined. RESULTS: At the end of the experiments, the seroma volume decreased significantly in the celecoxib group (p=0.804; 0.001), the IL-1ß level decreased significantly as detected in the biochemical examination (p=0.014), and in the histopathological examination, an increase in congestion in the celecoxib group was determined. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, celecoxib markedly decreased interleukin and the volume of seroma after mastectomy; suppressed the level of an acute phase reactant, IL-1ß; and demonstrated this effect through its anti-inflammatory activity. We believe that the effects of celecoxib should be investigated using different dose applications and larger number of subjects.

Innervation of the human posterior cricoarytenoid muscle by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

BACKGROUND: The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the abductor muscle for the vocal cords and is innerved by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The purpose of this study was to present our determination if the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) contributes to the motor innervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle. METHODS: We performed electromyographies (EMGs) via needle electrodes on 47 posterior cricoarytenoid muscles from 28 patients during thyroidectomy (9 lobectomies and 19 total thyroidectomies) with intraoperative neural monitoring. The RLN, vagus nerve, and external branch of the SLN were stimulated intraoperatively and the responses were evaluated by EMG. RESULTS: Positive EMG responses were obtained from 16 (34%) of 47 posterior cricoarytenoid muscles after external branch of the SLN stimulation. The EMG of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle was unilaterally positive in 8 of 19 patients (42%) with total thyroidectomy, and 2 of 19 patients (10.5%) were bilaterally positive. CONCLUSION: The external branch of the SLN contributes to the ipsilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle innervation in one-third of the cases. This contribution is usually unilateral, but is occasionally bilateral.

Is intraoperative neural monitoring necessary for exploration of the superior laryngeal nerve?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the contribution of intraoperative neuromonitoring to the visual and functional identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the effect on postoperative voice changes. METHODS: The prospective data of 221 patients (183 women, 38 men) who underwent thyroid operation with intraoperative neuromonitoring for exploration of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve were evaluated retrospectively. The surface endotracheal tube-based Medtronic NIM3 (Medtronic, Jacksonville, FL) intraoperative neuromonitoring device was used. The function of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was evaluated by cricothyroid muscle twitch. Additionally, the contribution of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve to vocal cord adduction was evaluated using electromyographic records. RESULTS: A total of 374 (95.2%) of 393 external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves were identified; 145 (36.9%) external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves were identified visually before being stimulated with a probe, and 130 (33.1%) external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves were identified visually after being identified with a probe. Although 99 (25.2%) external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves were identified with a probe, they were not visualized. Intraoperative neuromonitoring provided meaningful contributions to visual (P = .001) and functional (P = .001) identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Positive electromyographic responses were recorded from 257 external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves (68.7%). After the patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were excluded, voice changes were detected in 6 (3.3%) of 184 patients with identified external branch of the superior laryngeal nerves and 3 (20%) of 15 patients in whom at least 1 external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve could not be identified with intraoperative neuromonitoring. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative neuromonitoring provided an important contribution to the visual and functional identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is a helpful adjunct for identifying the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Contribution of intraoperative neural monitoring to preservation of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve: a randomized prospective clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) on the injury rate of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 133 consenting patients (98 female, 35 male; mean age, 45.6 ± 11.7 years) undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In group 1 (n = 65 patients, 105 nerves), superior thyroid pole dissection was performed with no attempt to identify the EBSLN; in group 2 (n = 68 patients, 106 nerves), IONM was used to identify the EBSLN during surgery. EBSLN function was evaluated by intraoperative electromyography of the cricothyroid muscle. The EBSLN Voice Impairment Index-5 (VII-5) was conducted preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the prevalence of EBSLN injury. The secondary outcomes were the identification rate of the EBSLN using IONM and changes in postoperative voice performance. RESULTS: EBSLN injury was detected in eight (12.3%) patients and nine (8.6%) nerves in group 1 and in one (1.5%) patient and one (0.9%) nerve in group 2 (patients, p = 0.015; nerves, p = 0.010). IONM contributed significantly to visual (p < 0.001) and functional (p < 0.001) nerve identification in group 2. The VII-5 indicated more voice changes in group 1 than 2 at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.012, p = 0.015, and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: IONM contributes to visual and functional identification of the EBSLN and decreases the rate of EBSLN injury during superior pole dissection. Routine use of IONM to identify the EBSLN will minimize the risk of injury during thyroidectomy.