Retroesophageal Right Subclavian Artery with Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Unique Variation of Surgical Importance

Abstract

ABSTRACT A nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare anatomical variant and is not detected on routine preoperative imaging. NRLN is related with absence of the brachiocephalic trunk and aberrant retroesophageal course of the right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) which is evident on contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the chest. We report three cases of NRLN accidentally documented during total thyroidectomies for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. All the three NRLNs seen on the right side were of the type IB variety. All the three NRLN were seen with its direct branch from the vagus at the level of the isthmus entering the cricothyroid muscle 2.5 to 3 cm away from the vagus without a recurrent course. Reviewing of contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest revealed retroesophageal right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) a variation of type I variety was evident in all the three cases. NRLN is a rare anatomical variant and routine preoperative imaging studies are not indicated. The risk of injury to the nerve is nullified by routine dissection and identifying its course along the paratracheal region. NRLN is related with absence of the brachiocephalic trunk and aberrant (mainly retroesophageal) course of the right subclavian artery which is evident on contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest. Expensive imaging modalities are not warranted to screen a variation which is less than 1%. How to cite this article Shenoy AM, Nanjundappa A, Halkud R, Chavan P, Gupta S, Naidu K, Naik SM. Retroesophageal Right Subclavian Artery with Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Unique Variation of Surgical Importance. World J Endoc Surg 2013;5(2): 33-38.