Any reason not to use an LMA for  para/thyroid surgery with fiberoptic scope attached to the camera with monitor visible to the surgeon.Scope could be inserted via regular bronchoscopy side port with  patient spontaneously breathing.Any damage to recurrent nerve vould be visible to you and surgeon immediately.

I don't think intubation before IV is a standard of practice in pediatric anesthesiology in the US,but its totally acceptable especially when circulating RN is not very comfortable with IV placement and no other help (nurse anesthetist as in most European countries) is available.