Animal Study to Evaluate the Effect of Carbon Dioxide Insufflation on Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Function in Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Data with regard to potential recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) compromise caused by intra-neck CO(2) insufflation during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) are missing. RLN electromyographic (EMG) profiles, metabolic and hemodynamic parameters (oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, experimental time, CO(2) partial pressure, pH, O(2) partial pressure), central venous pressure (CVP), airpocket temperature and pressure were recorded in a TOETVA animal model. Twelve pigs were randomly divided into different groups according to increasing CO(2) insufflation pressures. Nerves segments were then collected for histopathology. Significant variation of metabolic and hemodynamic parameters were registered when CO(2) insufflation pressures increased x3 and x5 the baseline parameters. Combined EMG amplitude drop and latency increase also were documented. There was no significant change in the intraluminal temperature. RLNs structure were preserved with normal axons, no fibrosis, and no vacuolization and without loss of myelinated fibers during the experiment. RLN EMG profiles (but not histology) were altered when CO(2) insufflation pressures increased.