Extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: a meta-analysis of 28,387 nerves.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) are branches of the vagus nerve that go on to innervate most of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx. Historically, the RLN has been considered to branch after it enters the larynx, but numerous studies have demonstrated that it often branches before. The wide variability of this extralaryngeal branching (ELB) has significant implications for the risk of iatrogenic injury. We aimed to assess the anatomical characteristics of ELB comprehensively.

Methods

Articles on the ELB of the RLN were identified by a comprehensive database search. Relevant data were extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis of the prevalence of branching, branching pattern, distance of ELB point from the larynx, and presence of positive motor signals in an

SUBMITTER: Henry BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5086344 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature