Lower Rates of Hypocalcemia Following Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Use in Thyroidectomy: A Meta-Analysis of RCTs

Background: Iatrogenic injury of the parathyroid glands is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) in reducing postoperative hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Randomised trials reporting at least one hypocalcemia outcome following total thyroidectomy using NIRAF were included. Results: The qualitative data synthesis comprised 1363 patients from nine randomised studies, NIRAF arm = 636 cases and non-NIRAF arm = 637 cases. There was a statistically significant difference in the overall rate of hypocalcemia log(OR) = −0.7 [(−1.01, −0.40), M-H, REM, CI = 95%] and temporary hypocalcemia log(OR) = −0.8 [(−1.01, −0.59), M-H, REM, CI = 95%] favouring the NIRAF. The difference in the rate of permanent hypocalcemia log(OR) = −1.09 [(−2.34, 0.17), M-H, REM, CI = 95%] between the two arms was lower in the NIRAF arm but was not statistically significant. Conclusions: NIRAF during total thyroidectomy helps in reducing postoperative hypocalcemia. Level of evidence—1.