Evaluation of Vocal Cord Function with and without Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Total Thyroidectomy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is increasingly utilized in thyroid surgeries to minimize the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injuries, which can result in vocal cord dysfunction. This study evaluates the effectiveness of IONM in preventing RLN injuries during total thyroidectomy by comparing postoperative vocal cord outcomes between patients operated on with and without IONM. A total of 60 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were randomized into two groups: those monitored with IONM (Group 1) and those without IONM (Group 2). Vocal cord function was assessed pre-and postoperatively using indirect laryngoscopy. The results indicate that RLN injury rates were significantly lower in the IONM group (3.33%) compared to the non-IONM group (16.66%). The findings support the routine use of IONM in thyroid surgery to reduce the risk of vocal cord dysfunction.