Methylene Blue Injection in the Inferior Thyroid Artery for Identification of Parathyroid Glands during Thyroidectomy.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Introduction: One typical delayed consequence following thyroidectomy is hypocalcemia. Numerous studies have
done to identify risk factors and how to avoid hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy. Our study aims to assess
the usefulness of an intraoperative methylene blue injection in the inferior thyroid artery during thyroidectomy for
parathyroid gland identification.
Aim of work: To identify parathyroid gland intraoperatively by injection of sterile methylene blue.
Patients and methods: We have conducted a prospective non-randomized cohort study with 50 patients who
underwent hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy between June 2021 and sept 2022. During thyroidectomy, 1
ml (10 mg) of 1% methylene blue was injected in the inferior thyroid artery.
Results: Intraoperative injection of methylene blue has a significant effect in reduction of post operative
hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusion: Use of methylene blue injection in the inferior thyroid artery is an effective method to identify
parathyroid gland during thyroidectomy and so reduce the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Keywords

Ain Shams Journal of Surgery
Volume 17, Issue 2
April 2024
Pages 148-152

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