How useful are perioperative biochemical parameters in predicting the duration of calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation after total thyroidectomy?

The Influence of Prophylactic Calcium and Magnesium Supplementation on Postoperative Quality of Life and Hypocalcemia After Total Thyroidectomy: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We want to investigate if a routine preoperative dietary supplementation of calcium and magnesium prior to thyroidectomy for nodular goiter and graves' disease can influence patients' outcome with regards to hypocalcemia associated symptoms and quality of life in order to reduce the risk of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and to improve patient's quality of life.

Methods: The study will be conducted as a two-armed randomized controlled trial including patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy. Patients assigned to the intervention group will receive calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide starting 2 weeks preoperatively. Primary outcome is the postoperative quality of life measured by the ThyPRO-39 and EQ-5D questionnaires. Secondary outcome is the assessment of postoperative biochemical (calcium and PTH levels) and clinical hypocalcemia (symptoms as reported by the patient).

Discussion: A prophylactic dietary supplementation with calcium and magnesium, which could easily be implemented in the preoperative setting, could potentially help to avoid or reduce hypocalcemia-associated symptoms and improve quality of life. In the event of a positive outcome, this preoperative procedure can be an inexpensive way to prepare patients scheduled for thyroidectomy and can possibly reduce disease-specific costs by reducing the postoperative complication rate.

Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS00017195 in the German clinical trials register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS) on the 22.05.2019.

Diagnosis and treatment of hypoparathyroidism: a position statement from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Objective To present an update on the diagnosis and treatment of hypoparathyroidism based on the most recent scientific evidence. Materials and methods The Department of Bone and Mineral Metabolism of the Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia (SBEM; Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism) was invited to prepare a document following the rules set by the Guidelines Program of the Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB; Brazilian Medical Association). Relevant papers were retrieved from the databases MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO, and the evidence derived from each article was classified into recommendation levels according to scientific strength and study type. Conclusion An update on the recent scientific literature addressing hypoparathyroidism is presented to serve as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition in Brazil.

The Association of Discolored Parathyroid Glands and Hypoparathyroidism Following Total Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

It remains uncertain whether a parathyroid gland (PG) that appears darkened or severely bruised but still has an attached vascular pedicle should be left in situ or taken out and auto-transplanted following total thyroidectomy. Our study aimed to examine the impact of discolored PGs (DPGs) on short- and long-term hypoparathyroidism.

METHODS

One hundred and three patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with 4 clearly identified PGs were analyzed. Location (superior/inferior) and color of each PG were recorded. Patients without DPG were grouped into I while those with 1-2 DPGs and ≥3 DPGs were grouped into II and III, respectively. Transient hypoparathyroidism meant adjusted Ca <2.00 mol/L 24 h after surgery and/or need for supplements. Protracted hypoparathyroidism meant a subnormal PTH at 4-6 weeks and/or supplements >6 weeks. Permanent hypoparathyroidism meant supplements ≥1 year.

RESULTS

Relative to I, group III had greater adjusted Ca drop at postoperative 1-h (p = 0.012), 24-h (p < 0.001) and lower day-1 PTH (p = 0.015). Having ≥3 DPGs (OR 14.00, 95 % CI 1.575-124.474, p = 0.018) was an independent factor of transient hypoparathyroidism. However, permanent hypoparathyroidism rate was higher than in group I than II (p = 0.019). Eight patients (25.8 %) in group I had undetectable day-1 PTH, while none in group III had undetectable day-1 PTH. Graves' disease/toxic goiter (OR 15.166, 95 % CI 2.594-88.661, p = 0.003) and excised gland weight (OR 1.028, 95 % CI 1.010-1.046, p = 0.003) were independent factors of ≥3 DPGs.

CONCLUSIONS

PG discoloration is associated with transient hypoparathyroidism while normal colored PG with seemingly adequate blood supply does not always imply functionally normal gland. These findings highlights the need for a real-time intraoperative method to assess PG viability.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography for quantitative evaluation of in situ parathyroid gland perfusion and function after total thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Because the fluorescent light intensity on an indocyanine green fluorescence angiography reflects the blood perfusion within a focused area, the fluorescent light intensity in the remaining in situ parathyroid glands may predict postoperative hypocalcemia risk after total thyroidectomy.

METHODS

Seventy patients underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography after total thyroidectomy. Any parathyroid glands with a vascular pedicle was left in situ while any parathyroid glands without pedicle or inadvertently removed was autotransplanted. After total thyroidectomy, an intravenous 2.5 mg indocyanine green fluorescence angiography was given and real-time fluorescent images of the thyroid bed were recorded using the SPY imaging system (Novadaq, Ontario, Canada). The fluorescent light intensity of each indocyanine green fluorescence angiography as well as the average and greatest fluorescent light intensity in each patient were calculated. Postoperative hypocalcemia was defined as adjusted calcium <2.00 mmol/L within 24 hours.

RESULTS

The fluorescent light intensity between discolored and normal-looking indocyanine green fluorescence angiographies was similar (P = .479). No patients with a greatest fluorescent light intensity >150% developed postoperative hypocalcemia while 9 (81.8%) patients with a greatest fluorescent light intensity ≤150% did. Similarly, no patients with an average fluorescent light intensity >109% developed PH while 9 (30%) with an average fluorescent light intensity ≤109% did. The greatest fluorescent light intensity was more predictive than day-0 postoperative hypocalcemia (P = .027) and % PTH drop day-0 to 1 (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is a promising operative adjunct in determining residual parathyroid glands function and predicting postoperative hypocalcemia risk after total thyroidectomy.

Visualizing fewer parathyroid glands may be associated with lower hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

It remains uncertain whether the number of parathyroid glands (PGs) seen during extra-capsular dissection impacts short- and long-term hypoparathyroidism. Our study aimed to address this by analyzing patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign disease.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were analyzed. The extra-capsular dissection technique was performed throughout the study period. The number of PGs identified, auto-transplanted and found on excised specimen was recorded prospectively. The number of PGs in situ was equaled to four minus the number of PGs auto-transplanted and PGs found on specimen. Temporary hypoparathyroidism was defined as serum adjusted calcium <2.00 mol/L 24 h after surgery and/or need for oral supplements while protracted hypoparathyroidism meant subnormal PTH (<1.2 pmol/L) at 4-6 weeks and/or need for >6-week oral supplements. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was defined as need for oral supplements for ≥1 year.

RESULTS

Five-hundred and sixty-nine patients were eligible for analysis. After adjusting for other significant parameters, greater number of PGs identified was an independent risk factor for temporary (p < 0.001) and protracted hypoparathyroidism (p = 0.007). Mean recovery time from protracted hypoparathyroidism for identifying ≤three PGs was significantly shorter than identifying all four PGs (2.8 vs. 7.8 months, p < 0.001). Chance of having all four PGs in situ decreased with greater number of PGs identified (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

When the extra-capsular technique was adopted during total thyroidectomy, identifying fewer PGs in their orthotopic positions not only lowered risk of temporary and protracted hypoparathyroidism but also shortened recovery from protracted hypoparathyroidism.

[Surgical assessment of complications after thyroid gland operations]

BACKGROUND

The extent, magnitude and technical equipment used for thyroid surgery has changed considerably in Germany during the last decade. The number of thyroidectomies due to benign goiter have decreased while the extent of thyroidectomy, nowadays preferentially total thyroidectomy, has increased. Due to an increased awareness of surgical complications the number of malpractice claims is increasing.

OBJECTIVES

In contrast to surgical databases the frequency of complications in malpractice claims reflects the individual impact of complications on the quality of life. In contrast to surgical databases unilateral and bilateral vocal fold palsy are therefore at the forefront of malpractice claims. As guidelines are often not applicable for the individual surgical expert review, the question arises which are the relevant criteria for the professional expert witness assessing the severity of the individual complication.

RESULTS

While in surgical databases major complications after thyroidectomy, such as vocal fold palsy, hypoparathyroidism, hemorrhage and infections are equally frequent (1-3 %), in malpractice claims vocal fold palsy is significantly more frequent (50 %) compared to hypoparathyroidism (15 %), hemorrhage and infections (about 5 % each). To avoid bilateral nerve palsy intraoperative nerve monitoring has become of utmost importance for surgical strategy and malpractice suits alike. For surgical expert review documentation of individual risk-oriented indications, the surgical approach and postoperative management are highly important.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines only define the treatment corridors of good clinical practice. Surgical expert reviews in malpractice suits concerning quality of care and causality between surgical management, complications and sequelae of complications are therefore highly dependent on the grounds and documentation of risk-oriented indications for thyroidectomy, intraoperative and postoperative surgical management.