Clinical Application of Near-infrared Autofluorescence Detection of Parathyroid Glands in Thyroid Surgery

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to compare and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) imaging, nano-carbon negative imaging and conventional naked eye recognition technology in recognizing parathyroid glands during surgery, and to preliminary evaluate the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of NIRAF imaging in the recognition of parathyroid glands. The clinical trials retrospectively analyzed 36 patients, including 12 patients in Group A (NIRAF imaging group), 12 patients in Group B (nano-carbon negative imaging group), and 12 patients in Group C (conventional naked eye recognition group). The number of parathyroid glands recognized during surgery in Group A was more than that in Group B and C. The time taken to recognize parathyroid glands in Group A was shorter than that in Group B and C. There was no significant difference in the average calcium ion levels of the three groups A, B and C before surgery. After surgery, the average calcium ion level of Group A was not significantly different from that of Group B, but it was higher than that of Group C, and the difference was significant. The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia in Group A was not significantly different from that in Group B, but it was lower than that in Group C. The incidence of postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia in Group A was lower than that in Group B and C. Compared with traditional technology, NIRAF can recognize more parathyroid glands during surgery, take less time, and make the probability of postoperative hypocalcemia and symptomatic hypocalcemia lower during thyroid surgery. It needs noninvasive and simple operation. It is a kind of safe, effective and feasible parathyroid gland recognition technology, which is worth further exploration.