Abstract
During thyroidectomy on a 69-year-old woman with thyroid tumor, the right nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was encountered. It was rare and on the right side exclusively. Due to its abnormal course and position, the risk of injury to this nerve is high during thyroid surgery.
Thyroidectomy was performed using a standard collar incision with retraction of the strap muscles. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve was not present in the right tracheoesophageal groove. On further dissection, a right non-recurrent laryngeal nerve was found emerging from under the carotid sheath and taking a transverse source to enter the larynx. The nerve was completely preserved. On pathological examination the tumor was a follicular adenoma.
Laryn g oscopic examination after thyroidectomy showed both vocal cords to be mobile.
