Comparison of Monopolar and Bipolar Stimulator Probes for Intraoperative Nerve Mapping During Thyroidectomy: A Prospective Study

Objectives/Hypothesis During intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery, two different kinds of stimulator probes, monopolar and bipolar, are commonly used to stimulate the laryngeal nerves. We explore the unique characteristics of both of these probes as they relate to intraoperative laryngeal nerve mapping. Methods Twenty-one patients undergoing neuromonitored thyroidectomy by a single surgeon were enrolled. Electromyography (EMG) amplitude and latency measurements were prospectively recorded concurrently from 1 mA stimulation of vagus nerve (VN) and inferior/superior recurrent laryngeal nerve before (with and without fascia) and after thyroid resection using bipolar and monopolar stimulator probes. Results Significantly higher amplitudes were obtained with monopolar stimulator probes as compared to bipolar probes, in several stimulation scenarios such as at right VN pre-resection (carotid sheath intact), right VN pre-resection (carotid sheath dissected), right VN post-resection and left VN (carotid sheath dissected). No significant differences were found between amplitudes and latency values in all other stimulation scenarios. Conclusions According to this study, both probes are reliable and safe for neural mapping. The kind of probe used during neural monitoring is based on surgical situations and surgeon preference. Level of Evidence Level 3 (According to Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence) Laryngoscope, 2021