Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The current systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to investigate the pooled prevalence of the superior thyroid artery (STA) pattern of origin (distinct or fused-common origin with adjacent arteries in the form of a common trunk). The standard and uncommon variants were also studied, considering the STA\'s exact surface of origin and the relationship with the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (TC, reference point), considering the laterality effect. Thus, the STA topographical anatomy was considered.
METHODS: An evidence-based systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted in four online databases using specific keywords, the pooled prevalence was calculated using statistical analysis in the R programming language, and multiple subgroup analyses were performed.
RESULTS: The most common distinct origin of the STA was from the external carotid artery (ECA) (56.94% pooled prevalence, 95%CI: 50.89-62.89), and the rarest one was from the internal carotid artery (ICA) (< 0.01%, 95%CI: 0.00-0.00). Common trunks were also investigated, with the thyrolingual trunk emanating from the ECA estimated at 0.61% (95%CI: 0.21-1.14), representing the most common. Subgroup analysis based on the nationality, type of study, and sample size, as well as a comparison between left and right sides and males and females, were investigated.
CONCLUSIONS: The most common STA origin was estimated as the ECA, the medial surface of origin, and above the TC upper border. Adequate knowledge of STA origin is paramount for surgeons, especially during thyroidectomy, not to cause iatrogenic injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
METHODS: An evidence-based systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted in four online databases using specific keywords, the pooled prevalence was calculated using statistical analysis in the R programming language, and multiple subgroup analyses were performed.
RESULTS: The most common distinct origin of the STA was from the external carotid artery (ECA) (56.94% pooled prevalence, 95%CI: 50.89-62.89), and the rarest one was from the internal carotid artery (ICA) (< 0.01%, 95%CI: 0.00-0.00). Common trunks were also investigated, with the thyrolingual trunk emanating from the ECA estimated at 0.61% (95%CI: 0.21-1.14), representing the most common. Subgroup analysis based on the nationality, type of study, and sample size, as well as a comparison between left and right sides and males and females, were investigated.
CONCLUSIONS: The most common STA origin was estimated as the ECA, the medial surface of origin, and above the TC upper border. Adequate knowledge of STA origin is paramount for surgeons, especially during thyroidectomy, not to cause iatrogenic injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
摘要：
目的：本系统综述采用荟萃分析的目的是调查甲状腺上动脉（STA）起源模式（不同或融合的共同起源与相邻动脉以共同干的形式）的合并患病率。还研究了标准和不常见的变体，考虑STA的确切起源表面以及与甲状软骨上边界的关系(TC，参考点)，考虑到偏侧效应。因此，考虑了STA地形解剖。
方法：根据PRISMA2020指南进行了循证系统评价和荟萃分析。在四个在线数据库中使用特定的关键词进行了文献检索，合并患病率是使用R编程语言中的统计分析计算的，并进行了多个亚组分析.
结果：STA的最常见的明显起源来自颈外动脉（ECA）（合并患病率为56.94％，95CI：50.89-62.89），最罕见的来自颈内动脉（ICA）（<0.01％，95CI：0.00-0.00）。还调查了常见的树干，ECA发出的甲状腺舌干估计为0.61%(95CI:0.21-1.14)，代表最常见的。基于国籍的亚组分析，研究类型,和样本量，以及左右两侧和男性和女性之间的比较，被调查了。
结论：最常见的STA起源估计为ECA，起源的中间表面，高于TC上边界。对外科医生来说，对STA起源的充分了解是至关重要的，尤其是在甲状腺切除术中，不会对喉上神经外支造成医源性损伤。
方法：根据PRISMA2020指南进行了循证系统评价和荟萃分析。在四个在线数据库中使用特定的关键词进行了文献检索，合并患病率是使用R编程语言中的统计分析计算的，并进行了多个亚组分析.
结果：STA的最常见的明显起源来自颈外动脉（ECA）（合并患病率为56.94％，95CI：50.89-62.89），最罕见的来自颈内动脉（ICA）（<0.01％，95CI：0.00-0.00）。还调查了常见的树干，ECA发出的甲状腺舌干估计为0.61%(95CI:0.21-1.14)，代表最常见的。基于国籍的亚组分析，研究类型,和样本量，以及左右两侧和男性和女性之间的比较，被调查了。
结论：最常见的STA起源估计为ECA，起源的中间表面，高于TC上边界。对外科医生来说，对STA起源的充分了解是至关重要的，尤其是在甲状腺切除术中，不会对喉上神经外支造成医源性损伤。
