Patterns and indications of intraoperative nerve monitoring usage during thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy in Spain: results of a national survey of endocrine surgeons

Abstract

We investigated the use patterns and indications of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) among endocrine surgeons in Spain. We sent an anonymous web-based survey to endocrine surgeons’ members of the Spanish Association of Surgery by email. We analysed 79/ 269 surveys. Respondents had a median age of 52 years and 13 years of surgical experience. Only 32% of respondents performed routinely preoperative laryngoscopy in all thyroidectomies and 19% in all parathyroidectomies. Seventy-five percent of respondents used the intermittent-IONM, and 9.7% used the continuous- IONM. All respondents identified recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery, and 40% of surgeons routinely identified external branch superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroidectomy. Seventyeight percent of respondents used IONM always for all thyroidectomies. Only 11% stimulated EBSLN in all cases. Forty-nine percent used IONM always for all parathyroidectomies. The most frequent reasons for not using IONM were the unavailability of IONM, the high cost, and the lack of adding value to their clinical practice. Almost 10% declared not having IONM. The IONM is a reality in Spain, especially the intermittent mode. Its use is superior in thyroid surgery than in parathyroid. Its standardized use is not yet fully established, and routine adherence to standardized guidelines should increase.