Objectives: Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a common complication following thyroidectomy, with the potential for significant morbidity and cost. While various techniques have been proposed for intraoperative parathyroid gland (PG) identification and preservation, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has emerged as a promising method. In this retrospective study, patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection were evaluated for the utility of ICG angiography in identifying PGs and the correlation of ICG scores with postoperative parathyroid function.
Results: Twenty-two patients were included in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between the total ICG score and postoperative PTH levels (r=0.549, p=0.008), and a negative correlation with the percentage of PTH gradient (r=-0.504, p=0.01). However, six patients with well-vascularized PGs on ICG angiography still developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusion: ICG angiography offers a potential tool for evaluating PG vascularization during thyroidectomy and predicting the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. However, its application should be used judiciously, and the technique should be improved for PG preservation. Further studies are warranted to better understand its benefits and limitations in thyroid surgery.
