Autofluorescence and Indocyanine Green in Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#calcium #coloring-agents #humans #hypocalcemia #hypoparathyroidism

Autofluorescence and Indocyanine Green in Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Barbieri et al., 2021 | Laryngoscope | Meta Analysis

Citation

Barbieri Diego, Indelicato Pietro, ... Bussi Mario. Autofluorescence and Indocyanine Green in Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Laryngoscope. 2021-Jul;131(7):1683-1692. doi:10.1002/lary.29297

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To estimate the impact of optical techniques on prevention of post-operative hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases. The main inclusion criteria for eligible articles for meta-analysis were patients with benign or malignant thyroid pathologies who underwent total thyroidectomy, utilization of optical techniques to support PGs preservation, the availability of calcium and/or PTH levels. The primary outcome was to evaluate the variation of calcium and PTH levels when adopting optical technologies compared to standard naked-eye surgery. RESULTS: In total, 13 papers with 1484 procedures were included. Pooled proportion for short- and medium-term hypocalcemia rates were 8% (95% CI, 5%:11%) and 1% (95% CI, 0%:4%) for optical techniques, while for naked-eye surgery were 15% (95% CI, 9%:23%) and 5% (95% CI, 2%:9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Optical technologies reduced short and medium term hypocalcemia compared to conventional surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:1683-1692, 2021.

Key Findings

In total, 13 papers with 1484 procedures were included. Pooled proportion for short- and medium-term hypocalcemia rates were 8% (95% CI, 5%:11%) and 1% (95% CI, 0%:4%) for optical techniques, while for naked-eye surgery were 15% (95% CI, 9%:23%) and 5% (95% CI, 2%:9%), respectively.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population benign or malignant thyroid
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Calcium
  • Coloring Agents
  • Humans
  • Hypocalcemia
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Indocyanine Green
  • Intraoperative Care
  • Optical Imaging
  • Parathyroid Glands
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Thyroid Gland
  • Thyroidectomy

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: calcium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09