Loss of the Neuromonitoring Signal on the First Side in Planned Total Thyroidectomy

Abstract

With an increased use of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM), an adaptation of the resection strategy appears to be necessary in case of an intraoperative loss of signal (LOS) of the first operated side with total thyroidectomy planned. The contralateral side resection with intact recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function from the surgical point of view, basically has 3 options: 1) no contralateral resection in bilateral goiter, Graves' disease, or low risk thyroid carcinoma (differentiated and medullary thyroid carcinomas) with the aim of 2-stage completion surgery after recovery of nerve function; 2) contralateral subtotal resection ventrally of the RLN plane in benign goiter with a safety distance to the nerve with the aim of avoiding further surgery; and 3) total thyroidectomy as planned for advanced thyroid carcinomas (including undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas) with the aim of immediate postoperative radioiodotherapy. The following document provides a synopsis of the experiences of the Korean Intraoperative Neural Monitoring Society (KINMoS) for the strategy for planned total thyroidectomy and loss of the neuromonitoring signal on the first thyroid lobe.