Comparing Medial and Lateral Dissection Approaches to the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During a Thyr… (NCT07532889) | Clinical Trial Compass
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Comparing Medial and Lateral Dissection Approaches to the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During a Thyroidectomy
430 participantsStarted 2026-05
Plain-language summary
The goal of this interventional study is to compare the effectiveness of two surgical approaches in identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroidectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are:
How does each approach affect the length of hospital stay? How does each approach affect the number of adverse events that occur during surgery? How does each approach affect vocal cord function after surgery?
Researchers will compare the new medial approach to the standard lateral approach to evaluate its effectiveness.
Participants scheduled to undergo thyroidectomy surgery will be randomly assigned to one of these approaches after informed consent is obtained. Data will be collected during and after the surgery by a research assistant.
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* All patients undergoing a total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy under the care of the participating surgeons
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age less than 19 years old
* Previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery, substernal goiter, preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP)
* Evidence of lateral or central neck lymph node metastases
* Intentional iatrogenic transection of the RLN due to tumor invasion
* Failure to assess real-time RLN functioning due to equipment issues with the IONM setup
* Presurgical dissection amplitude under 100uV
* Patient refusal to participate in the study
* Intraoperative decision to switch to a different approach to identifying the RLN
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Intraoperative injury to the RLN
Timeframe: Intraoperatively
2
Temporary vocal cord palsy as defined endoscopically