Hypocalcaemia in pharyngolaryngectomy: Preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands

OBJECTIVE: To describe transient and permanent hypocalcaemia following partial and total pharyngolaryngectomy with parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent partial or total pharyngolaryngectomy by a single surgeon during the period 2009‐2020. Intraoperative parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation (where the gland appeared devascularized) was routinely performed. Calcium levels performed on day 1, 3 months, and at 12 months postoperatively were collected. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 13% of patients had transient hypocalcaemia, and 10% permanent hypocalcaemia. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia in total pharyngolaryngectomy were 14% and 14%, respectively. Partial pharyngectomy hypocalcaemia rates were 13% for transient and 0% for permanent. The majority of patients underwent salvage surgery for oncological resection, often following radiotherapy (63%). Ipsilateral hemithyroidectomy was preferred to total (57% vs 7%), with high rates of concurrent neck dissection (67%) and reconstruction (87%). CONCLUSION: This data supports preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands as a means of reducing permanent postoperative hypocalcaemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series, retrospective.