Non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN); Report of a case

Abstract

　Recurrent nerve (inferior laryngeal nerve) injury in thyroid surgery is a very severe and serious complication that impairs patient’s quality of life and it is one of the major complications in thyroid surgery. If the recurrent nerve can be detected during the surgery, injury can be prevented. We report a case of a woman with right non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN) branching from the vagus nerve directly at the level of the right thyroid upper lobe in thyroid surgery. 　NRILN is a very rare anatomic variation and is associated with aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). In such cases, preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography should be monitored closely to avoid injuring this nerve.