Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve and aberrant vasculature

Background: The incidence of non-recurrent laryngeal (RLN) nerve is around 0.5%. Injury to the nerve results in significant morbidity. Methods and Results: A case of a 63-year old lady with a non-RLN and an aberrant subclavian artery was described. A successful thyroidectomy was performed with subcapsular dissection and identification of the RLN medially. Embryogenesis and anatomical variations of the non-RLN were reviewed, and their clinical importance was discussed. Conclusions: It is important for surgeons who regularly perform thyroidectomies to be aware of the association between aberrant subclavian artery and the presence of non-RLN.