Autofluorescence enhances intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands: a single-center comparative study.

Cohort studyFrontiers in endocrinology· 2026

Autofluorescence enhances intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands: a single-center comparative study.

Jean-Baptiste Dubuis, Jeremy Meyer, Maria Mavromati … Marco Stefano Demarchi

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Endocrine SurgeryCohort studyTreatmentQ1IF 5.2

Autofluorescence imaging was associated with more parathyroid glands identified during thyroidectomy

Autofluorescence enhances intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands: a single-center comparative study.

Jean-Baptiste Dubuis … Marco Stefano Demarchi

Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026

Background

Permanent hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy remains a major complication, occurring in close to 10% of cases and increasing risks of cardiac, renal, and metabolic morbidity.

Purpose

This study evaluates the efficacy of near-infrared autofluorescence in enhancing intraoperative parathyroid gland detection compared to conventional visual inspection.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study included 349 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

n = 349 patients

Results

more parathyroid glands were spotted with autofluorescence than visual inspection alone

2.91glands

NIRAF

2.59glands

Control

More results

Rates of postoperative parathyroid hormone <1.1 pmol/L, parathyroid gland autotransplantation, and reimplantation did not differ significantly.

DISCUSSION: near-infrared autofluorescence imaging improves intraoperative identification of parathyroid gland and is associated with higher early postoperative parathyroid hormone levels.

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Conclusion

Standardized use and surgeon training are necessary to optimize clinical outcomes.

Autofluorescence enhances intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands: a single-center comparative study.

Autofluorescence enhances intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands: a single-center comparative study.

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