Unintentional parathyroidectomy and hypoparathyroidism in secondary central compartment surgery for thyroid cancer.
BACKGROUND
Unintentional parathyroidectomy is a complication of thyroid surgery. To our knowledge, no study has specifically examined the incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy exclusively in patients undergoing secondary central compartment surgery for recurrent or persistent thyroid cancer.


METHODS
The records of 40 patients who underwent 42 secondary central compartment surgeries for thyroid cancer were reviewed to determine the incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy.


RESULTS
Parathyroid tissue was present on permanent pathology in 31% of SCCSs. Unintentional parathyroidectomy did not have an effect on hypoparathyroidism. Concomitant lateral neck dissection did not have an effect on the incidence of hypoparathyroidism, but did have a statistically significant effect on inadvertent parathyroidectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Accidental resection of parathyroid tissue is relatively common in secondary central compartment surgery compared with primary thyroid surgery, but does not appear to correlate with postoperative hypoparathyroidism.
Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, University School of Medicine, 500 University Drive, MCH091, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA.
Michael P
MP
Ondik
Johnathan
J
McGinn
Francis
F
Ruggiero
David
D
Goldenberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult