A nonrecurrent course is an unusual anatomic variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It is seen usually on the right side, and it is very rare on the left side. Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve if present is mostly associated with vascular anomalies.

A 55-year-old female was referred to us with thyrotoxic symptoms for a period of 6 months. She was rendered euthyroid with antithyroid medications. After complete evaluation, she was posted for total thyroidectomy. Intraoperatively, right recurrent nerve could not be identified in usual position. On careful dissection, a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was identified. The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the left side showed normal course. The intraoperative and postoperative period were uneventful. Postoperative vocal cord status was normal.

This case was presented for its rarity and to stress the need for orderly meticulous surgical dissection.

Ravikumar K, Sadacharan D, Suresh Rv. Surgical Delight: Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(1):14-16.