Identification and functional recording of the recurrent nerve by electrical stimulation during neck surgery.

A method for identification and functional recording of the recurrent nerve during neck operations is described. The basic principle implicates electrical stimulation of the recurrent nerve causing adduction of the vocal cord registered by means of a balloon placed between the vocal cords. Three different recording methods have been tested in animal experiments and during 26 neck operations on patients. The most simple method employed is recommended as a routine procedure, likely to reduce surgical damage to the recurrent nerve.