The thyroid operation is considered by many to be at the pinnacle of endocrine surgery

Thyroid Surgery Most endocrine surgeons agree that an accurately performed thyroidectomy requires both experience and technical ability National endocrine surgical associations- strives for the creation of centers of excellence for the future training of endocrine surgeons

Unacceptably high incidences of major complications, like: - recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies - permanent hypoparathyroidism are still reported in the surgical literature.

RLN function is tested by placing the surgeon’s finger in the prevertebral space and palpating the aritenoid cartilage movements as the nerve is stimulated using the nerve stimulator

Suspensory ligament of Berry : Its relationship to recurrent laryngeal nerve and anatomic examination of 24 autopsies Authors SASOU S. (1) ; NAKAMURA S.-I. (1) ; KURIHARA H. (2) ; Authors Affiliations (1) Division of Pathology, Central Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka , Iwate, JAPON (2) Kurihara Thyroid Clinic, Morioka , JAPON

Background. It is important to clarify the relationship between the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and the ligament of Berry to prevent damage to the RLN in thyroid surgery. The purpose - to identify this relationship to prevent surgical complications. Methods. Among the 486 thyroid surgery cases, 689 RLNs were identified and their course detected. Topography of the laryngotracheoesophageal region and the histology of the ligament of Berry were studied in detail in 25 autopsied cadavers. Results. All nerves identified by surgery and autopsy were located laterodorsally to the ligament of Berry. They were clearly separated, and no nerve penetrated the ligament nor was medially located to it. The ligament of Berry strongly connected the thyroid gland to the trachea and was identified as a whitish connective tissue band. Conclusions. It was confirmed that the RLN never penetrates the ligament of Berry but is located laterally to it. From these topographic findings, no injury to the RLN will occur from a separation close to the goiter in thyroid surgery

1. Experience, 2. Sound judgment, 3. Meticulous technique 4. Adequate training are the hallmarks required to eliminate POSTOPERATIVE MORBIDITY

Thyroid Surgery It would be prudent to design appropriate training programs Introduce uniform guidelines and standards for performing these operations for the whole country

SUBTOTAL THYROIDECTOMY INDICATIONS Are decreasing Thyrotoxicosis – Antithyroid drugs resistance – Recurrence after an apparently successful medication Pressure symptoms Cosmetic effect- large goitre Inflammatory conditions – Riedel’s struma – Hashimoto’s disease

Preoperative preparation Thyrotoxicosis ATS drugs until an euthyroid state is reached ATS drugs block the synthesis of thyroxine but do not inhibit the release of the hormone from existing colloid stores: 3w-3m~Q.colloid When euthyroid than LUGOL-potassium iodide solution, 10 days Postop. tachycardia- beta blockers

Thyroid Surgery The tubercle of Zuckerkandl is a thickening of thyroid tissue that is located at the most postero-lateral edge of the thyroid gland Close proximity with PTs and RLN

Laryngeal Nerves

OPERATIVE STEPS Kocher incision Dissection of the sup. and inf. skin flaps from thyroid cartilage down to the suprasternal notch- - ! arch connecting the 2 AJV Retractor for skin flaps Large goitre- division of SH/ST muscles in the sup. 1/3 (avoid injury to the motor nerve supply) Free the ant. margin of SCM from the ST muscle Midline vertical incision between the SH. muscles from the thyroid notch to suprasternal notch

Crease line incision above the jugular notch Raising the skin flaps Stay anterior to the AJV- bloodless dissection

Strap muscles are separated by opening the linea alba SH/ST divided in the sup.1/3 rd - avoid injury to the nerve supply (ansa cervicalis-inferiorly)

OPERATIVE STEPS Pick up loose fascia over the thyroid and incise it- cleavage plane between the thyroid gland and ST muscle Working in a proper cleavage plane, the delivery of the gland may be facilitated by forefingers dissection MTV ligated, Branches of STA

Freeing the lobe using lateral approach Ligate MTV.

OPERATIVE STEPS Blunt dissection of the upper pole, pushing away from the larynx STA/STV exposed above their point of entry into the gland Lower pole- free from inf. veins Exposing the ITA- identify RLN, PTs Leave paratracheal thyroid tissue- clamping the parenchyma Divide the isthmus Subtotal resection of the lobe

Excessive dissection of the RLN resulted in neuropraxia due to interference with its neural blood supply

Line of resection for subtotal thyroidectomy

Ligate the ITV Myoraphy of the strap muscles

Types of thyroidectomies

Choice of surgical technique Potential benefits and complications Pts. with MNG- the main reason to perform bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy is: a presumed lower incidence of complications an attempt to maintain the euthyroid status without thyroxine replacement

Disadvantages High recurrence rate and increased surgical morbidity during reoperation Some pts. still require thyroxine replacement Unrecognized malignancy- SBT=inadequate surgery

TT- Advantages Adequate removal of the disease Prevention of the recurrence Avoidance of the need for completion surgery

How to reduce the risk of complications Well trained endocrine surgeon Technique of capsular dissection, staying close to the thyroid gland Preserving the blood supply to the PT Identification of the RLN