The application of subcapsular saline injection to preserve the parathyroid gland during thyroidectomy

Li Zhou; Miao Zhang; Danqin Xu; Jingjing Shi; Gang Pan; Yu Zhang; You Peng

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21543

The application of subcapsular saline injection to preserve the parathyroid gland during thyroidectomy

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 2;9(11):e21543. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21543. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Li Zhou¹, Miao Zhang², Danqin Xu², Jingjing Shi¹, Gang Pan¹, Yu Zhang¹, You Peng¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
² The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of subcapsular saline injection (SCASI) after total thyroidectomy.

Methods: A total of 77 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected and divided into the SCASI group (n = 43) and the non-SCASI group (n = 34). The general clinical data of the patients were collected, and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels were determined preoperatively, on the 1st postoperative day, and at 1 and 6 months after the operation. These data were compared between groups.

Results: There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups. The PTH and serum calcium levels in the SCASI group were significantly higher than those in the non-SCASI group on the 1st postoperative day (t = 2.340, 5.208, both P < 0.05), and the PTH levels in the SCASI group at 1 month after the operation were higher than those in the non-SCASI group (t = 2.141, P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism in the SCASI group was significantly decreased (χ² = 3.920, 3.948, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy requires high surgical precision, and SCASI can reduce the incidence of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Keywords: Hypocalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Subcapsular saline injection; Thyroidectomy.