Do surgeons really know how to perform neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery? An awareness study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this questionnaire-based observational study is to examine the awareness of endocrine surgeons regarding the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) techniques in thyroid surgeries. Methods: A survey project based on a structured questionnaire was conducted during the 14th Spring Meeting of the Greek Society of Endocrine Surgeons (GSES). The questionnaire consisted of 14 items and was handed to all participants—by the key speaker—during the neuromonitoring session. Results: In the 14th spring meeting of GSES there were 205 delegates present. Among them there were 35 residents and 6 medical students. The surgeons being potential responders were 119. In the session of IONM, there were 83 eligible surgeons present and the questionnaire was answered voluntarily by 59 of them (71.08%). The responders’ group consisted of 26 members of the GSES and 33 non-members. Conclusions: Most of the participants believed that there are many benefits in the use of IONM such as anatomically identifying the branches of the laryngeal nerve, monitoring their functionality or offering to patients’ greater confidence to the surgery. Attention should be paid not to abandon the conventional techniques for identifying the laryngeal nerve, as IONM may not always be available. Evidence is needed to establish the proper indications for its application.