A case of the right non-recurrent laryngeal nerve in the thyroid cancer

The right non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) in patients with papillary thyroid cancers is an under-reported entity. This case study is about a 26-year-old female who presented with papillary thyroid cancer. Physical examination showed involvement of the right lobe of the thyroid with no other abnormalities. Intraoperatively, with the aid of electromyography and nerve monitoring, the right non-recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified and preserved. Total thyroidectomy with inferior parathyroidectomy was done. Injury to the NRLN can lead to significant postoperative morbidity. As per meta-analysis, these nerve-related complications in minimally invasive techniques are comparable to or even less frequent than in the open approach, especially when combined with nerve monitoring and adequate training. This case report aims to raise awareness about the presence of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients undergoing operative thyroid procedures and ensure its intraoperative preservation. There is also a necessity to analyse the patient to look for associated vascular anomalies.