Parathyroid gland autotransplantation after total thyroidectomy in surgical management of hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas: A case series

Intraoperative Autofluorescence Imaging for Parathyroid Gland Identification during Total Laryngectomy with Thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE

Hypoparathyroidism is a known complication of total laryngectomy, although parathyroid preservation and/or reimplantation are not routine. Autofluorescence is a new technique for identifying parathyroid glands intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of autofluorescence in this context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients undergoing total laryngectomy/pharyngectomy with concomitant thyroidectomy using the Fluobeam^® (Fluoptics, Grenoble, France) and frozen section of a parathyroid fragment in case of reimplantation. The rates of identification using autofluorescence, reimplantation, and hypoparathyroidism were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (16 males, median age 67) underwent total laryngectomy/pharyngectomy with total thyroidectomy (n = 12) or hemithyroidectomy (n = 6). A median of 2 parathyroid glands were identified per patient. Ninety-two percent were identified by autofluorescence before visualisation. All parathyroids were reimplanted due to devascularization. Temporary hypoparathyroidism occurred in nine patients, and was permanent in one patient. After 34 months of median follow-up (range 1-49), no tumor recurrence was observed in the reimplantation sites.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the largest study to evaluate autofluorescence during total laryngectomy with thyroidectomy. No tumor recurrence occurred in the sites of parathyroid reimplantation.

Hypocalcaemia in pharyngolaryngectomy: Preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands

OBJECTIVE

To describe transient and permanent hypocalcaemia following partial and total pharyngolaryngectomy with parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation.

METHODS

Thirty patients underwent partial or total pharyngolaryngectomy by a single surgeon during the period 2009-2020. Intraoperative parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation (where the gland appeared devascularized) was routinely performed. Calcium levels performed on day 1, 3 months, and at 12 months postoperatively were collected. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 13% of patients had transient hypocalcaemia, and 10% permanent hypocalcaemia. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia in total pharyngolaryngectomy were 14% and 14%, respectively. Partial pharyngectomy hypocalcaemia rates were 13% for transient and 0% for permanent. The majority of patients underwent salvage surgery for oncological resection, often following radiotherapy (63%). Ipsilateral hemithyroidectomy was preferred to total (57% vs 7%), with high rates of concurrent neck dissection (67%) and reconstruction (87%).

CONCLUSION

This data supports preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands as a means of reducing permanent postoperative hypocalcaemia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series, retrospective.

Systematic review of incidence, risk factors, prevention and treatment of post-laryngectomy hypoparathyroidism

Purpose

Post-laryngectomy hypoparathyroidism is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidities. This systematic review aimed to determine incidence, risk factors, prevention and treatment of post-laryngectomy hypoparathyroidism.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched for relevant articles on hypocalcaemia and/or hypoparathyroidism after laryngectomy or pharyngectomy. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts from the search. Data from individual studies were collated and presented (without meta-analysis). Quality assessment of included studies was undertaken. The review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42019133879).

Results

Twenty-three observational studies were included. The rates of transient and long-term hypoparathyroidism following laryngectomy with concomitant hemi- or total thyroidectomy ranged from 5.6 to 57.1% (n = 13 studies) and 0 to 12.8% (n = 5 studies), respectively. Higher transient (62.1–100%) and long-term (12.5–91.6%) rates were reported in patients who had concomitant oesophagectomy and total thyroidectomy (n = 4 studies). Other risk factors included bilateral selective lateral neck dissection, salvage laryngectomy and total pharyngectomy. There is a lack of data on prevention and management.

Conclusion

Hypoparathyroidism occurs in a significant number of patients after laryngectomy. Patients who underwent laryngectomy with concomitant hemithyroidectomy may still develop hypoparathyroidism. Research on prevention and treatment is lacking and needs to be encouraged.

Incidences of Hypothyroidism Associated With Surgical Procedures for Thyroid Disorders: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background and Aim: Limited information available about different types of thyroid surgeries with risk for postoperative hypothyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the risk of developing early and late-onset postoperative hypothyroidism in patients with thyroid disorders. Methods: We used a large cohort data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data Base (NHIRDB) and identified 9,693 (9, 348) patients from January 1998 to December 2010, admitted for thyroid disorder surgeries. We used the surgical procedures time as the index date. Our observational retrospective cohort study excluded the subjects diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism before any surgeries. We analyzed the data using the Cox regression model to calculate the hazard ratio. Result: Postoperative hypothyroidism associated with bilateral-total (HR, 4.27; 95% CI, 3.32-5.50), one-side total and another subtotal (HR, 3.16; 95% CI, 2.59-3.86), bilateral-subtotal (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.37-1.98), and unilateral-total (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.95-1.44) surgical procedures. The time intervals for thyroid disorders were 320 cases developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism in eight weeks, 480 cases the second month, and 1000 cases in the first year after surgery. Conclusion: Findings suggest that thyroidectomy was associated with transient postoperative hypothyroidism in thyroid disorder patients. The bilateral-total surgical procedure was strongly associated with temporary postoperative hypothyroidism.

Rationale behind thyroidectomy in total laryngectomy: analysis of endocrine insufficiency and oncological outcomes

Thyroidectomy conventionally accompanies total laryngectomy. This study intends to analyze the incidence and factors leading to thyroid gland involvement in carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx. Retrospective chart review from March 2011 to December 2016 of all patients who had undergone total laryngectomy at our institute. A total of 125 patients entered into the analysis. Subsites involved were glottis (n = 32), supraglottis (n = 28), transglottis (n = 52), pyriform sinus (n = 12), and subglottis (n = 1). TNM distribution according to AJCC 7th edition is as follows: T2 (n = 1), T3 (n = 34), T4 (n = 90); N0 (n = 97), N1 (n = 13), N2a (n = 5), N2b (n = 5), N2c (n = 4), and N3 (n = 1). Total thyroidectomy was performed in 16 patients, near total thyroidectomy in 5, and hemithyroidectomy in 104. Histopathologically thyroid gland involvement was seen in 11/125 (8.8%). The overall incidence of hypothyroidism was 48% (hemithyroidectomy, 43/104; total thyroidectomy, 16/16; near total thyroidectomy, 1/5). The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was 12.8% (total thyroidectomy, 11; hemithyroidectomy, 5). On multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards model), extralaryngeal spread into level 6 (HR = 5.5, p = .006, C.I = 1-18.8) and extracapsular extension (HR = 9.3, p = 0.02, C.I = 1.29-67.5) were statistically significant predictors for thyroid gland involvement. Survival analysis of patients with thyroid gland involvement (n = 11) revealed 5-year overall survival (OS) of 100% and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 59.3% compared with patients without thyroid gland involvement, 71% and 51.7%, respectively (median follow-up, 30 months). Thyroid gland involvement did not show a statistically significant effect on OS/DFS on multivariate analysis. In view of the endocrine abnormalities and lack of survival benefit seen, thyroidectomy should be performed judiciously during total laryngectomy.

Intraoperative rapid aspiration cytological method for parathyroid glands identification and protection

To explore new methods for intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands, 86 thyroid cancer patients, admitted to Xijing hospital from July 2017 to July 2018, were included. During lymph node dissection, parathyroid glands were firstly judged by clinician eyeballing, based on his clinical experience. Then, cytological detection was used for rapid identification via Diff-quik staining. PTH monitoring was performed by PTH detection kit. Finally, frozen pathology was examined and regarded as the golden standard. In this study, 172 suspicious parathyroid glands were observed. According to frozen pathology outcome, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of clinician eyeballing were calculated as 63.3%, 100%, and 13.9%. Kappa test showed poor consistency (kappa = 0.156), AUC area was 0.569 ± 0.045, 95%CI = (0.480-0.658), p = 0.123. For cytological and PTH detection, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 91.7% vs. 92.3%, 93.6% vs. 93.8% and 89.0% vs. 90.3%. Kappa value was 0.829 vs. 0.842, indicating good consistency. AUC area was 0.908 ± 0.027 vs. 0.918 ± 0.025, 95%CI = (0.856-0.960) vs. (0.869-0.966), p < 0.001, indicating higher diagnositic value. Besides, compared with frozen pathology, cytological detection was easily and rapid. The time-taking between frozen pathology and cytological detection or PTH detection were 39.0 ± 6.59 min vs. 5.02 ± 0.78 min and 39.0 ± 6.59 min vs. 6.1 ± 1.23 min, p < 0.001. In conclusion, intra-operative cytological detection maybe potential for in-situ preservation of parathyroid glands.

Parathyroid Autotransplantation During thyroid Surgery. Where we are? A Systematic Review on Indications and Results

Introduction: Hypoparathyroidism still represents an important concern in thyroid surgery. Careful dissection with identification and preservation of parathyroid glands in situ remains the best way to maintain gland vitality and avoid post-operative failure. Nevertheless, parathyroid glands are still inadvertently removed in up to 11% of cases. Parathyroid autotransplantation may represent the only way to restore parathyroid gland functionality in case of inadvertent removal or devascularization during thyroid surgery. Despite this, there is still no agreement on the effectiveness of this procedure. The present systematic review is focused on the mainly debated matters regarding the procedure, indications, technique and results. Methods: This review has been carried out according to PRISMA statement and checklist. The research item was: (((parathyroid autotransplantation[Title]) OR parathyroid reimplantation[Title]) NOT hyperparathyroidism[Title]) AND english[Language]. Results: A total of 31 studies have been found according to limitations already described, reporting from 4 to 890 procedures, with a total amount of 4088 PA. Among these studies, there are only 7 prospective case-series evaluations, 2 prospective randomized trials, while the other 22 studies are retrospective evaluations. The main concerns are: when and how to perform autotransplantation; in which anatomical site; which result to be expected, and how to manage and control the graft. Conslusions: Parathyroid autotransplantatin is an important tool to avoid or minimize the risk for hypoparathyroidism following thyroid surgery in selected cases. Parathormone assay can help the surgeon to determine when reimplantation is indicated or not. Further studies could theoretically give definitive results.

Parathyroid Autotransplantation During Thyroid Surgery: A Novel Technique Using a Cell Culture Nutrient Solution

INTRODUCTION

Parathyroid autotransplantation is an easy procedure with a low complication rate. We adopted the transplantation into the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which allows an easier and time-saving surgical procedure using the same surgical incision.

METHODS

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 396 consecutive patients, who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease. In all cases in which a parathyroid was damaged or inadvertently removed, the gland was transplanted; before the autotransplantation, the parathyroid tissue was put in a cell culture nutrient solution for 5 min, afterward fragmented, and then was transplanted in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. To demonstrate a beneficial effect of the cell nutrient solution step, we compared data of transplanted patients with a control group of cases (n = 190) undergoing a standard immediate autotransplantation.

RESULTS

We divided patients in two main groups: group A (n = 160) including subjects that underwent one or more parathyroid gland autotransplantation using the cell nutrient solution, and group B (n = 236) concerning those who were not transplanted. Among patients, 62 hypocalcemias occurred, 40 in the group A and 22 in the group B (P < 0.001): 91.9 % were transient and 8.1 % (5 patients) definitive, all pertaining to the group B. Among controls (group C), 42 hypocalcemias occurred (P = 0.616 vs. group A and P = 0.002 vs. group B) and 3/42 became definitive (P = 0.096 vs. group A and P = 0.121 vs. group B). All differences concerning pre- and postoperative calcium values were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend the routine parathyroid autotransplantation, when a vascular damage is certain or suspected, in order to reduce the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism, using a cell culture nutrient solution before gland transplantation.