Anatomical and developmental aspects of iatrogenic injury to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in surgical resections of substernal goiter

Thyroid surgery is the primary treatment for substernal goiters, and iatrogenic injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RNL) always a risk. The literature suggests that lesions of RNL post resection goiter are not equally distributed, being more frequent on right (R-RLN) in comparison left (L-RLN). relative paucity basic anatomical clinical reportages R-RLN injuries developmental factors may help explain its higher incidence justifies this study's undertaking. Here we compare versus RLN surgical resections goiters discuss embryological involved. This report part larger retrospective observational cohort study 239 patients surgically treated Gaffrée Guinle University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, from 2006 2018. From patients, 13 presented with injury, one patient bilateral lesion, totalling 15 lesions. Our analysis showed seems be anatomically vulnerable due underpinnings addressed review, = 64.29% (n 9) L-RLN 35.71% 5). Pathological like malignancy size mass relevant issues considered. knowledge landmarks development thyroid associated structures can improve our understanding teaching anatomy, thus helping prevent reduce number RLNs.