Relation of Superior Laryngeal Nerve and Superior Thyroid Artery with Superior Pole of Thyroid During Thyroid Surgery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate relation between superior thyroid vessels, external branch of superior laryngeal nerve and superior pole of thyroid based on Cernea classification in Jammu population. The present study was conducted on 50 patients in Department of ENT & Head and Neck Surgery, SMGS Hospital, Government Medical College Jammu during a time period of January 2018 to March 2020. Patients undergoing selective thyroid surgeries for various pathologies were included in the study. Patients with preoperative vocal cord palsy and patients with malignant thyroid neoplasms were excluded from the study. All patients were operated under general anaesthesia, with supine neck extended position. The bifurcation and the branches of STA were meticulously dissected preserving all the branches and any anastomoses if present. Once visualization of the nerve was attained, various measurements were taken to assess Cernea classification type. Depending on extent of lesion appropriate surgical procedure was done so as remove all the diseased tissue. Out of total 62 lobes, Cernea's Type 1 pattern was seen in 33 (53.2%) of patients, Cernea's Type 2a was seen in 11 patients (17.7%) and Cernea's Type 2b was seen in 14 patients (22.5%). No specific pattern was seen in 4 (6.4%) of patients. Cernea classification system is a simple and reliable guide to identify and preserve the nerve.