Adaptation of Continuous Intraoperative Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Monitoring of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

摘要

Esophagectomy has risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. Conventional nerve monitoring has been used to help identify and protect the RLN. A new concept of continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring (CIONM) by stimulation of the ipsilateral vagus nerve has been used in thyroidectomy. The current report describes adapting the CIONM method for use in video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) esophagectomy.