目的    探讨一种新的喉返神经变异。方法    上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院自2007年1月至2012年12月共施行显露颈段喉返神经的甲状腺手术2094例，其中女1652例，男442例。共解剖喉返神经2710根，左侧1312根，右侧1398根。结果    共发现新的变异喉返神经5根，且均位于右侧，总的发生率0.18%（5/2710），右侧发生率为0.36%（5/1398）。主要的变异为其有发往颅内的入颅支变异。结论    喉返神经可能还存在某些尚未知晓的功能。在甲状腺手术中更应认真仔细的保护喉返神经以免误伤其功能。

A new variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve        SHAO Tang-lei*,HUANG He, WANG Hai,et al. Department of Surgery,Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine,Shanghai 200025,China
Corresponding author:YANG Wei-ping, E-mail:yangweipingmd@126.com
Abstract    Objective    To discuss a new variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.Methods    A prospective study involving 2,094 consecutive thyroidectomies was performed during January 2007 and December 2012.,and 1,652 women and 442 men, there were 2710 of RLNs dissected,and 1312 of left RLNs and 1398 of right RLNs. Results    There were 5 new varied RLNs found and all were located in the right.the occurrence of the new varied RLNs were 0.18% in all RLNs and were 0.36% in right RLNs.The most important of the varied RLNs was the branch which directed to the skull. Conclusion    There may be some new function which we have not been known in the RLNs.The RLNs should be more carefully protected in thyroid operation for fear of injuring the RLN and its function.