The role of autofluorescence in thyroid surgery

Introduction The intraoperative identification of the parathyroid gland and recurrent laryngeal nerve are an elementary part of thyroid surgery. Any technical aid that reduces risks of complications such as injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or unconscious removal of parathyroid gland is desirable.

In this work I would like to present the reference to the autofluorescence technique in the surgical treatment of thyroid.

Patients and method based on a case study In October 2023, a right hemithyreidectomy was surgically treated in the ENT department at the Bethanien Plauen Hospital using the FLUOBEAM®​ LX, autofluorescence system. It was used with a microscope, intraoperative recurrent laryngeal monitoring via tube electrode and BiClamp sealing system.

Results In this patient, the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the lower parathyroid epithelial body were easily visualized intraoperatively using the microscope and FLUOBEAM®​ LX; the upper epithelial body could not be identified using the microscope and FLUOBEAM®​ LX. The specimen was inspected outside the surgical site under the microscope and FLUOBEAM®​ LX system. No epithelial body was found here.

Summary The use of autofluorescence is an additional optical aid in the identification of parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery. Regular use of this system can improve understanding of parathyroid-to-thyroid anatomy in surgical training.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2024