Feasibility of Autofluorescence for Parathyroid Glands During Thyroid Surgery and the Risk of Hypocalcemia: First Results in Belgium and Review of the Literature

Background. Post-operative hypocalcemia remains the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. Recently, autofluorescence imaging was introduced to detect parathyroid glands early during dissection. Aim. We aimed to check the feasibility of autofluorescence regarding the number of parathyroid glands visualised and the risk of post-operative hypocalcemia. Methods. In a prospectively gathered cohort of patients undergoing thyroid surgery, we describe the risk of hypocalcemia in relation to the number of parathyroid glands visualised during surgery (and the risk reported in the scientific literature) and the feasibility to obtain an autofluorescence of the parathyroid glands. Results. From 2010 to 2019, 1083 patients were referred for total thyroidectomy in our tertiary referral centre for endocrine surgery, of which, 40 consecutive cases were operated using autofluorescence. Among the autofluorescence group, 14 (35.0%) had all 4 parathyroid glands visualised, compared to 147 (14.1%) in the other patients, without differences in the number of parathyroid glands reimplanted. No permanent hypocalcemia occurred in the autofluorescence group and 17.5% temporary hypoparathyroidism, compared to 3.1% and 31.9% among the other patients, and 4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3–5%) and 19% (95% CI 15–24%) in the literature. Conclusion. Autofluorescence imaging provides reliable real-time visualisation at any point during thyroid surgery and helps to identify the parathyroid glands before detection with the naked eye. To date, it cannot be used as a standard technique and does not replace meticulous dissection. To become a useful adjunct in peroperative parathyroid management, large multicentre studies need to establish a potential clinical benefit of this novel technique.