Table 2 Re-exploration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) with and without intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM)

Total patients (n)

56

15

Previous cervical exploration (n)

1.25

1.4

Total nerve re-exploration (n)

70

15

Male:Female ratio

8:48

4:11

Age (years)

22.8-80.5

29.7-85.0

Pathology

Papillary cancer

23

12

Medullary cancer

1

Follicular cancer

2

Nodular goiter

20

1

Graves’ disease

12

Hyperparathyroidism

1

Indication of reoperation

Malignancy

Thyroid bed recurrence

8

5

Lymph node recurrence

10

7

Completion thyroidectomy

11

2

Benign

Recurrent Graves’ disease

4

Airway compression

7

1

Suspect malignant

16

Recurrent hyperparathyroidism

1

Procedure

Total thyroidectomy + LN dissection = > Excision:

9

9

Total thyroidectomy = > LN dissection:

2

3

Total thyroidectomy = > LN dissection + excision

1

Total thyroidectomy + LN dissection = > Laryngectomy

1

Total + subtotal thyroidectomy = > Completion thyroidectomy:

17

2

Total + subtotal thyroidectomy = > LN dissection

1

Total thyroidectomy + LN dissection = > LN dissection

1

Subtotal thyroidectomy + Trachea resection = > Completion thyroidectomy

1

Subtotal thyroidectomy = > Lobectomy:

3

1

Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy = > Lobectomy

10

Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy = > total thyroidectomy

2

Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy = > total + subtotal thyroidectomy

1

Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy = > Excision

1

Parathyroidectomy = > Excision

1

0