Objective: To investigate the protection of the parathyroid in the total thyroidectomy to avoid the postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism.
Methods: Forty-three consecutive cases underwent total thyroidectomy from June 2013 to June 2014 in Nanjing Tongren Hospital were reviewed. Of them 26 cases with malignant and 17 cases with benign thyroid diseases.
Results: Intraoperatively, all 4 parathyroid glands were identified in 27 cases, 3 parathyroids in 10 cases and 2 parathyroids in 6 cases. Intraoperative parathyroid transplantation was performed in 6 cases, including 5 cases with 1 parathyroid transplantation and 1 case with 2 parathyroid transplantation. With the follow-up of 1-3 months after surgery, 10 cases presented with transient hypocalcemia, 8 cases with temporary hypoparathyroidism and no case with permanent hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusion: Accurate identification and conservation in situ or auto-transplantation in total thyroidectomy could be effective for prevention of postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism.