Abnormal distance of the extralaryngeal bifurcation point of the recurrent laryngeal nerve from the cricothyroid joint

Abstract

The extralaryngeal bifurcation point of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is typically located in a mean distance of 0–2 cm from the cricothyroid joint (CTJ). In the presented case though, the left RLN was unexpectedly identified bifurcating in a mean distance of 7 cm from the left CTJ in a young woman with multinodular goiter during total thyroidectomy. The RLN was carefully exposed throughout its course for the avoidance of iatrogenic injury of the nerval structure. The operation was uneventful. The present manuscript aims to highlight a scarce anatomic variation and its implications for thyroidectomy. Rare anatomic variations of the RLN such as the presented one encumber thyroid surgery and represent a severe risk factor of RLN injury. Meticulous operative technique combined with surgeons’ perpetual awareness concerning this peculiar anatomical aberration leads to an injury-free thyroid surgery.