What is recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and mapping using EMG (electromyography) is the latest in technological innovation in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. A special endotracheal tube with right and left electrodes is placed near the muscles of the vocal cords which are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. These electrodes are connected to a computer that analyzes the electric activity and displays the electro-myographic (EMG) activity of the vocal cords ( muscle electrical potentials) on a screen. During the operation, the electrical activity (EMG response) of the nerve is continuously monitored. If the recurrent laryngeal nerve is stimulated or disturbed, an electrical impulse is detected by the monitoring technician who alerts the surgeon.
