Abstract: ObjectiveTo discuss the treatment principle of recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodsAccording to the degree of nerve involvement found during operation, 42 patients suffering from papillary thyroid carcinoma with recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement were divided into 3 groups, i.e., circumvolution group (n=11), adhesion group (n=19) and compression group (n=12). Intraoperative preservation of the involved recurrent laryngeal nerve was determined based on both the degree of nerve involvement and preoperative vocal cord movement. The recurrent laryngeal nerves in all the cases of the circumvolution group were resected regardless of the vocal cord movement. In the adhesion group, the nerves were also resected in those with preoperative complete vocal cord paralysis and preserved in those with incomplete vocal cord paralysis or normal vocal cord movement. The nerves in all the cases of the compression group were preserved. The postoperative vocal cord movement in all the cases was observed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated.ResultsOf all the 42 patients, total thyroidectomy was performed in 23 and subtotal thyroidectomy in 19. All of them were followed up for one year without recurrence. Postoperative complete vocal cord paralysis was observed in all the 11 cases of the circumvolution group with intraoperative nerve resection. In the adhesion group, postoperative complete vocal cord paralysis occurred in 3 cases with preoperative complete vocal cord paralysis and intraoperative nerve resection. In 9 cases of the adhesion group with preoperative incomplete vocal cord paralysis and intraoperative nerve preservation, postoperative complete and incomplete vocal cord paralysis occurred in 2 and 3 cases respectively, and vocal cord movement returned to normal in 4. Vocal cord movement returned to normal in all the cases of the compression group.ConclusionThe recurrent laryngeal nerve involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma should be managed comprehensively according to relationship between tumor and nerve combining the preoperative vocal cord movement.