Abstract
Aim — Background
Total thyroidectomy is the procedure of choice in many diseases of the thyroid gland. This study measures the frequency of incidental parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy in our department and values the possible correlation between certain clinical parameters, such as inflammation and malignancy, and the frequency of incidental parathyroidectomy.
Patients — Methods
A retrospective study was conducted for the period July 2009–June 2012. The study included 63 patients (51 female, 12 male) with total thyroidectomy. We measured the number of parathyroid glands as recorded in the pathology reports and we compared this with the original disease of the thyroid gland.
Results
Parathyroid tissue was found in 12 cases (19%). One parathyroid gland was found in nine (14%) specimens (group A), and two parathyroid glands were found in three (5%) (group B). The cases in group A comprised: 5/21 (24%) goiter, 3/23 (13%) thyroid cancer, 1/19 (5%) thyroid nodule, and in group B: 1/21 (5%) goiter, 2/23 (9%) thyroid cancer. In 75% of all cases (both groups A & B), there was significant inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Conclusion
Incidental parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy is usually found in cases of severe inflammation, goiter or thyroid cancer. It is essential that the surgeon recognizes and preserves the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy.
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Allios, D., Paraskevopoulos, J.A., Papazacharias, C. et al. Incidental parathyroidectomy during total thyroidectomy. Hellenic J Surg 85, 189–191 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-013-0035-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-013-0035-3