BackgroundThe non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare but potentially serious anomaly that is commonly associated with the aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). It is easy to damage during surgical resection of esophageal cancer, leading to severe complications. MethodsPreoperative enhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans of 2697 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated in our hospital between January 2010 and December 2013 were examined. We classified the positional relationship between the right subclavian artery and the membranous wall of the trachea into two types and used this method to predicate NRLN by identifying ARSA. ResultsTwenty-six patients (0.96%) were identified with ARSA, all of which were cases of NRLN by CT. NRLN was identified during surgery in the 26 patients, and a normal right recurrent laryngeal nerve was observed in 2671 patients. The ARSA was detected on the dorsal side of the membranous wall of the trachea in all 26 NRLN cases, while it was detected on the ventral side in all 2671 recurrent laryngeal nerve cases. ConclusionEnhanced CT scanning is a reliable method for predicting NRLN by identifying ARSA. Preoperative recognition of this nerve anomaly allows surgeons to avoid damaging the nerve and abnormal vessels during esophagectomy.