Parathyroid risk in thyroid surgery. Reality and prevention. 502 bilateral thyroidectomies
Proye, C.; Maes, B.; Bondil, P.; Vanseymortier, L.; Lagache, G.
Journal de Chirurgie 119(8-9): 491-498
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7697 PMID: 6754751 Document Number: 190683
Prospective study of parathyroid risk in a bulk of 502 consecutive bilateral thyroidectomies. Early post-operative hypocalcemia has been documented in 8,8% of the patients, but persisted in only 1,6% one year later. Late parathyroid risk of total thyroidectomy is 3,3% but increases twofold if neck dissection is simultaneously performed. Methods of this study probably misdiagnose a number of mild hypoparathyroidism. Lack of early hyperphosphoremia seems to be an optimizing criteria for aftermath. In Grave's disease, early post-operative hypocalcemia is more common (6,9%) but often subsides (definitive risk: 0,4%). This acceptable morbidity is compared to the data of literature. To prevent post-operative hypoparathyroidism a painstaking dissection of parathyroid blood supply seems more promising and effective than routine autotransplantation of the glands.