Indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence for assessing parathyroid perfusion during thyroidectomy

Identification of the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery may prevent their inadvertent surgical removal and thus provide a better postoperative quality of life. Nevertheless, the most common “technique” for intraoperative evaluation of perfusion of parathyroid gland tissues during thyroid surgery is visual inspection of the physical condition of tissues, e.g., their color and bleeding edges. Another technique is measurement of intact parathyroid hormone. Recently, indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence has been used in various surgical techniques, particularly laparoscopic surgery, to improve visualization and to provide detailed anatomical information. Fluorescent optical guidance helps surgeons to avoid inadvertent tissue injury while enhancing procedural efficiency. This technique has potential use for evaluating perfusion of the parathyroid gland in real-time intraoperative angiography.