Study finds no significant benefit of parathyroid autotransplantation post-thyroidectomy
Parathyroid autotransplantation does not significantly improve the recovery of parathyroid function in patients who develop hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy, according to a study.
Specifically, it does not lead to better outcomes in patients with low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the post-anesthesia care unit or long-term follow-up.
Data was analyzed from 549 patients who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy, with 152 patients receiving parathyroid autotransplantation. Both groups showed similar demographics and thyroid-related conditions.
Postoperative outcomes found that patients who underwent autotransplantation had a significantly higher incidence of transient symptomatic hypocalcemia at 2 weeks (38.0% vs 19.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed that autotransplantation was associated with a higher risk of transient hypocalcemia (IRR = 1.90, P < 0.001).
However, among patients with low PTH levels in the post-anesthesia care unit, recovery rates of parathyroid function were comparable between those who received autotransplantation and those who did not (82.2% vs 82.5%, P = 0.46). Long-term follow-up indicated similar rates of parathyroid insufficiency in both groups (5.3% vs 3.8%, P = 0.46).
Reference
Kasmirski JA, Allahwasaya A, Wu C, et al. Does Parathyroid Autotransplantation Prevent Hypoparathyroidism after Thyroid Surgery? Ann Surg. 2025;doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006631. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39811957.