Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
We evaluated experience with probe‐based near‐infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) system (PTeye) in parathyroid gland (PTG) identification during total thyroidectomy.
Methods
In this retrospective study, patients undergoing total thyroidectomy using PTeye (2020–2022;
n
= 84) were compared with a historical visual‐identification cohort (2018–2019;
n
= 103).
Results
PTG identification rates were comparable, although 42% of PTGs detected with PTeye were initially visualized with low or moderate confidence. Significantly fewer patients in the PTeye cohort had PTGs incidentally identified on histology (4.8% vs. 16.5%,
p
= 0.018), but there was no difference in the incidence of autotransplanted PTGs or total inadvertent parathyroidectomy. Postoperative calcium was higher with PTeye (median 9.2 vs. 9.0 mg/dL,
p
Conclusions
PTeye provides adjunctive confirmation of suspected parathyroid tissue, including glands initially identified with low or moderate visual confidence.