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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stephen McHanwell
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© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Background: Because external laryngeal nerve (ELN) iatrogenic damage is frequent during neck surgery, its precise localization has been highly recommended. This study analyzes the different surgical landmarks previously proposed and the anatomy of the collateral and terminal branches of the ELN. Methods: The necks of 157 (77 men and 80 women) human adult embalmed cadavers were examined. The ELN origin, length, and relationship to different landmarks were recorded and results statistically compared with those previously reported. Results: The ELN is located deep to the ascending pharyngeal vein in 100% of patients. In most patients, it crosses the carotid axis at the thyroid artery origin level (47% of patients), passes medial to it (89% of patients), and shows an intramuscular trajectory through the inferior constrictor of the pharynx (80% of patients). Conclusion: The ELN position, in relation to classical landmarks, is highly variable. The most reliable relationships are those with the ascending pharyngeal vein or with the superior thyroid artery.
Author(s): Ortega C, Maranillo E, McHanwell S, Sanudo J, Vazquez-Osorio T
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Head and Neck
Year: 2018
Volume: 40
Issue: 9
Pages: 1926-1933
Print publication date: 10/09/2018
Online publication date: 23/04/2018
Acceptance date: 20/02/2018
ISSN (print): 1043-3074
ISSN (electronic): 1097-0347
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25186
DOI: 10.1002/hed.25186
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