Intra-operative neuromonitoring of the vagus nerve during thyroidectomy. A prospective study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether intra-operative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the vagus nerve during thyroidectomy can predict postoperative vocal fold palsy. DESIGN: A single-centre, prospective study. SETTING: University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 95 patients underwent thyroid surgery. A total of 160 vagus nerves were studied. The amplitude of the action potential of vocal muscles was recorded intra-operatively by indirect supramaximal stimulation of the vagus nerve. All patients underwent flexible fibre-optic laryngoscopy on postoperative day 1 to detect the presence of vocal fold palsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the difference of the action potential amplitude of the vagus nerve before and after resection of the thyroid lobe. Statistical analysis determined the amplitude variation cut-off able to accurately predict postoperative vocal fold palsy. RESULTS: Transient vocal fold palsy was observed in 4.375% of cases, and permanent fold palsy was observed in 1.25% of cases. A decrease of the action potential amplitude by more than 61% was statistically significantly associated with postoperative vocal fold palsy. A greater than 87% decrease of the amplitude of the action potential was correlated with permanent postoperative vocal fold palsy. CONCLUSION: IONM of the vagus nerve during thyroidectomy may accurately predict postoperative vocal fold palsy.