Reduction in postoperative hypoparathyroidism following carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effectiveness of carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation to identify and preserve the parathyroid gland to reduce postoperative hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with thyroid tumors received carbon nanoparticle suspension injection combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation (group A). Serum calcium and PTH levels were recorded and compared with those of 50 control patients who underwent a standard thyroidectomy procedure (group B). RESULTS: The serum calcium level in group A was significantly higher than that in group B at day 1 (2.20 ± 0.02 vs 2.11 ± 0.03 mmol/L) and day 30 (2.27 ± 0.01 vs 2.21 ± 0.02 mmol/L) after surgery. The PTH level in group A was also significantly higher than that in group B at day 1 (33.5 ± 2.36 vs. 25.31 ± 2.98 pg/mL) after surgery. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in group B than in group A at day 1 after surgery (19 vs. 7 patients). CONCLUSION: When combined with parathyroid gland vasculature preservation, carbon nanoparticle suspension injection can effectively reduce the incidence of temporary parathyroidism following thyroid surgery.