Tips for Preservation of Parathyroid Gland During Thyroid Surgery

ABSTRACT

Failure to preserve parathyroid function in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy is of major concern because hypocalcemia is difficult to prevent and remains a common postoperative complication. It is essential to preserve not only the parathyroid glands themselves but also the vasculature around them to maintain their function after thyroidectomy. In many cases, thyroid and parathyroid glands share the proximal section of the blood vessels supplying them. Therefore, we should try to separate as many vessels as possible from the thyroid capsule and retain their connection to the parathyroid gland for preservation of its proper blood flow and function.