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Anatomical variations of recurrent laryngeal nerve: a systematic review and meta-analyses

  • Anatomic Variations
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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis on the anatomical variations of the RLN.

Methods

We performed online research for studies that addressed anatomical variations of the RLN and laterality, published between 2015 and 2021. We found 230 articles, and nine were included.

Results

Eight variations were found, with Type I prevailing (41.17%; 95% CI 19.44–64.88), extra laryngeal divergence of the RLN. The other types were: II—fan shape; III—distance greater than 5 mm to the cricothyroid joint; IV—thickening and adipopexy in the elderly; V—non-recurrent laryngeal nerve; VI—intracranial branch; VII—tortuous ascending RLN; and VIII—combination between the inferior branch of the NV and the ascending trunk of the RLN. Types I (p = 0) and III (p < 0.01) prevailed on the left and types II (p < 0.01) and V (p < 0.01) on the right.

Conclusions

It was observed that variations occurred due to the path of the RLN to the entrance to the larynx, its shape, and the age of the evaluated individual. The most frequent variation and side were, respectively, Type I, extra laryngeal divergence and left.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

(Created with CorelDRAW - Figure of own authorship)

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Data availability

All articles used in this systematic review can be accessed free of charge using CAFe CAPES access.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the participants for their resilience and dedication even in the worst times, we thank Prof. Dr. Diogo Costa Garção and the Neuroscience Study Group at the Federal University of Sergipe for the opportunity to carry out this work. In addition, the authors thank Paulo Eduardo Gonçalves for the support in the translation and corrections into English. I, Gabriel Valentim, thank my mother Maria Aparecida for all the support and dedication throughout my journey, without you, I would never have achieved what I have already achieved. Finally, on behalf of Caio Nemuel, I thank Geovanna Barros and Alexia Ferreira for their help and emotional support.

Funding

This work did not receive any grant from public, commercial or unfunded funding specific agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Jardim Avenue, Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil

    Gabriel Valentim dos Santos Menezes Siqueira, Marcos Henrique dos Santos Rodrigues, Caio Nemuel Nascimento Santos, Paulo Eduardo Gonçalves & Diogo Costa Garção

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  1. Gabriel Valentim dos Santos Menezes Siqueira
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  2. Marcos Henrique dos Santos Rodrigues
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  3. Caio Nemuel Nascimento Santos
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  4. Paulo Eduardo Gonçalves
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Contributions

GVSMS: project development, data collection, manuscript writing/editing. MHSR: project development, data collection, manuscript writing/editing. CNNS: data collection or management, data analysis. PEG: translation. DCG: project development, supervision, project administration.

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Correspondence to Gabriel Valentim dos Santos Menezes Siqueira.

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dos Santos Menezes Siqueira, G.V., dos Santos Rodrigues, M.H., Santos, C.N.N. et al. Anatomical variations of recurrent laryngeal nerve: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Surg Radiol Anat 46, 353–362 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03293-7

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