Objective: To assess the value of medial approach for recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) dissection during thyroid surgery.
Methods: The data of 368 patients undergoing thyroid surgery with RLN dissection through medial approach were retrospectively analyzed to assess the incidence of RLN injury after the procedure.
Results: Of the patients， 2 cases (0.54%) had transient RLN injury and no permanent RLN injury occurred.
Conclusions: Medial approach for RLN dissection can decrease the incidence of RLN injury， and is an effective method to prevent RLN injury in thyroid surgery.