Objective: To describe transient and permanent hypocalcaemia following partial and total pharyngolaryngectomy with parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation.
Methods: Thirty patients underwent partial or total pharyngolaryngectomy by a single surgeon during the period 2009-2020. Intraoperative parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation (where the gland appeared devascularized) was routinely performed. Calcium levels performed on day 1, 3 months, and at 12 months postoperatively were collected. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia were calculated.
Results: A total of 13% of patients had transient hypocalcaemia, and 10% permanent hypocalcaemia. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia in total pharyngolaryngectomy were 14% and 14%, respectively. Partial pharyngectomy hypocalcaemia rates were 13% for transient and 0% for permanent. The majority of patients underwent salvage surgery for oncological resection, often following radiotherapy (63%). Ipsilateral hemithyroidectomy was preferred to total (57% vs 7%), with high rates of concurrent neck dissection (67%) and reconstruction (87%).
Conclusion: This data supports preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands as a means of reducing permanent postoperative hypocalcaemia.
Level of evidence: Level IV, case series, retrospective.
Keywords: hypocalcaemia; pharyngolaryngectomy; salvage surgery.
© 2021 The Authors. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of The Triological Society.