The recurrent laryngeal nerve is the main nerve to the voice box and runs directly behind the thyroid gland.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is one of the most significant complications of thyroid surgery, as it can affect voice, swallowing and, rarely, airway safety.
Dr Bova is a specialist ear, nose and throat surgeon with subspecialty expertise in thyroid, parathyroid, and head and neck cancer surgery. He understands firsthand how voice disturbance can affect wellbeing and is committed to preserving voice during thyroid and parathyroid procedures.
Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) does not replace meticulous dissection or direct visual identification of the nerve. Instead, it provides real-time functional information that complements the surgeon’s anatomical assessment.
Dr Ron Bova first observed recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during his fellowship in the United States while visiting Professor Gregory Randolph at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Professor Randolph is widely regarded as a world leading academic thyroid surgeon and international expert in nerve monitoring. Since commencing practice at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sydney, Dr Bova has used nerve monitoring in every thyroid and parathyroid procedure he has performed, with personal experience across more than 3,000 case