Objective  To explore the clinical significance of exposure the recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN) for preventing the RLN injury in thyroidectomy. 
Methods  The data of 1 723 patients with thyroid diseases undergoing total or subtotal thyroidectomy from September 2006 to August 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RLN were exposed in 914 cases, 1 203 RLNs were exposed(exposed group). RLN were unexposed in 809 cases, 1 013 sides were cut(unexposed group). To compare RLN injury rate after operation and recovery of vocal cord in 6 months after operation between the two groups. 
Results  In exposed group, 11 cases had RLN injury, the rate of RLN lesion was 0.91%. In unexposed group, 21 cases had RLN injury, the rate of RLN lesion was 2.07%. The differences between the two groups had statistical significance(P<0.05). When six months after operation, 0 case and 13 cases in exposed group and unexposed group respectively occurred permanent RLN injury, the differences between the two groups had statistical significance(P<0.01). 
Conclusion  Exposure of RLN in total and subtotal thyroidectomy can significant avoid RLN injury, especially RLN permanent injury.
                                 
Citation: DONG Jingqing,LEI Shangtong,.. Clinical Significance on Exposure of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroid Surgery Avoiding Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury. CHINESE JOURNAL OF BASES AND CLINICS IN GENERAL SURGERY, 2012, 19(3): 297-299. doi: Copy
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