Comprehensive Nerve Management in Thyroid Surgery

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 2

Moderator(s)

scharpf joseph, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Cleveland Clinic
Chagrin Falls, Ohio, United States

Panelist(s)

Gregory W. Randolph, MD

Claire and John Bertucci Endowed Chair in Thyroid Surgical Oncology
Harvard Medical School
Westwood, Massachusetts, United States
richard J. Wong, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
memorial sloan kettering
New York, NY, United States
Elizabeth E. Cottrill, MD, FACS,

Professor, Residency Program Director, Co-Director Thyroid & Parathyroid Center
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, PA, United States
David C. Shonka, Jr., MD

Professor
University of Virginia Medical Center
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

This session will address all aspect of nerve management during thyroid surgery to include preoperative preparation and counseling, intraoperative nerve monitoring and decision making, and postoperative nerve rehabilitation strategies. Specific topics reviewed will include management of the functional nerve involved by tumor, repair of the resected nerve, and strategies to avoid bilateral nerve injury. The panelists will also review the nascent field of neoadjuvant therapy and the potential impact of preoperative systemic therapy on intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve management. Although a primary focus will be on the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, vagus nerve and other nerves relevant to thyroid neck disease will be addressed.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to best prepare and counsel patients for nerve management issues during thyroid surgery.
Upon completion, participants will be able to have a strategy plan to safely and effectively manage invaded nerves and loss of nerve signal during surgery.
Upon completion, participants will understand neoadjuvant strategies to deal with invaded nerves and rehabilitation techniques to optimize functional outcomes